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Lloydminister Public School Division

780-875-5541 Fax: 780-875-7829

5017 46 Street
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 1R4

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Administrative Procedures

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Administrative Procedure 207

Controversial Issues

Background

Instructional programs authorized and approved by the Lloydminster Public School Division are to develop students' capacities to think clearly, reason logically, examine all issues, and reach sound judgments.  Some areas where controversial issues may arise within the instructional programs are related to:  religion, politics, commercialism, family life, sex, or forms of stereotyping.  The foregoing is not an all inclusive list.

The Lloydminster Public School Division is prepared to receive written representations, accompanied by oral explanations if desired, from any individual regarding controversial issues to be studied, materials to be used, or the manner in which controversial issues are studied in the classroom.  Thereafter, the Lloydminster Public School Division reserves the right to render those decisions which are delegated to the Lloydminster Public School Division by legislation.

Procedures

  1. The Principal, under the general supervision of the Director of Education shall be
    responsible for ensuring that controversial issues addressed within the instructional program
    are in fact part of the course of studies as authorized by the Ministry of
    Education and approved by the Lloydminster Public School Division.
  2. No student or students are to be ridiculed or embarrassed for positions which they hold on any
    issue. Teachers and students must be sensitive to the views and rights of others.
  3. The Principal, upon receiving a written request from a parent/caregiver, may excuse a student
    from participation in instruction dealing with a matter that is contrary to the conscientiously
    held beliefs of the family.  Whenever possible, students excused from regular classes or
    content will be provided by the teacher with equivalent alternate material which is consistent
    with the conscientiously held beliefs of their family. Student evaluation on such
    alternate material will be educationally appropriate.
  4. Except in areas in which direction has been provided by the Board of Education, discussion of
    any controversial issues must fairly represent alternative points of view.
  5. Controversial issues being discussed must reflect the requirements of the authorized program
    of studies and be appropriate to the maturity, capability, and educational needs of the student.
  6. Learning resources and other printed material are to be recommended, or authorized by
    the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and/or the Lloydminster Public School
    Division.

Reference
Section 85, 87, 175, 176, 182, 184 Education Act, 1995
Saskatchewan Human Rights Code
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Revised
June 2009
September 2014
December 2017
August 2023