INC: Guest Speakers
Code: INC
Adopted: 3/09/07
Revised/Readopted: 12/08/10; 10/11/17 Orig. Code(s): INC
Teachers are expected to help students investigate controversial issues which fall within the areas they are employed to teach. Discussion of controversial issues will help students learn to analyze problems, gather and sort facts, use discrimination in assessing facts and opinions, and draw conclusions.
A teacher who invites any resource speaker to appear before his/her class shall give notice of the invitation to the principal prior to the date of the scheduled appearance in order that the principal may exercise judgment concerning the effect of the speaker on all aspects of the school program which come within his/her responsibility. The principal may require a conference with the teacher and/or speaker to discuss the overall aspects of the presentation.
If the teacher feels a topic or speaker is controversial, and believes the topic or speaker may bring about repercussions harmful to the school or district, the teacher shall request a conference with the principal to decide the matter before the invitation is extended.
The administration is expected to exercise judgment and to investigate fully those proposed resource speakers about whom questions may arise.
Teachers/Club sponsors should encourage the use of resource speakers representing various approaches and points of view on a given topic or issue in order to afford students a more comprehensive understanding of the topic/issue.
An appropriate record shall be made of each resource person/speaker used and of his/her presentation.
The ideas presented and the speaker invited to present them shall have a demonstrable relation to the instruction or cocurricular activity in which participating students are involved.
Prior to his/her participation, the speaker shall be given in writing and shall agree to abide by the following regulations:
- Profanity, vulgarity and lewd comments are prohibited;
- Tobacco use is prohibited;
- Sexist, racial remarks or derogation of any group or individual is prohibited;
- The teacher, club sponsor or member of the administration responsible for inviting the speaker has the right and obligation to interrupt or suspend the presentation if the conduct or content being presented by the speaker is judged to be in poor taste or endangers the health and safety of the students/staff.
END OF POLICY
Legal Reference(s):
ORS 332.107
ORS 336.067
OAR 581-022-1020
Cross Reference(s):
INB - Studying Controversial Issues
