If you would like to place an ad in the Viking Vision, ad prices are available upon request. Where teaching focuses on a single view on a political issue for an extended period of time - for example, where a political ideology is a core part of the curriculum - teachers should simply avoid promoting this view, present it without bias and ensure pupils understand its contested nature. This guidance should help illustrate what might constitute a political issue, but ultimately this will require teachers to continue to use their own judgement. These classes can quickly become situated around the professor's extensive knowledge of such politics they are, after all, the ones giving us the final grade. The term balanced presentation of opposing views, does not mean that pupils must be taught about an opposite view to every view which is covered, or that different views are always given equal time in teaching or cannot be critically assessed. Where external agencies have failed to meet the standards a school expects, for instance by failing to stick to an agreed plan or attempting to engage pupils in political activity, schools should share this information with their local authority, academy trust and any wider school network. Learning more about the process of law making and what goes on inside the Capitol can help us develop positive habits of fact-checking. As part of building pupils awareness about specific political issues and political figures, it may be helpful to display political materials in the school or classroom. Political issues are likely to be raised outside of planned teaching and activities, mainly when pupils raise these themselves or ask and comment about live political issues. As more political issues are trending, more students are wanting to talk about it in school. Parents, and even teachers, may feel concerned about their children and their students talking politics in school because of the bias and . See the section on sensitive political issues for more information. This might be by: Schools should consider how pupil-led activity feeds into a wider sense of political balance across the school. Some parents may also become concerned about the impartiality of teaching where such activity is undertaken by school leaders, teachers, and other staff. However, a science or mathematics class does not have many justifiable reasons that politics, especially politics of the partisan variety, should be discussed or debated. It's illegal to teach LGBT issues in Hungarian schools. The school should be clear that it would not be acceptable for the group to have pupils sign this petition during the session. In September this year, the Department of Education also warned teachers against expressing political opinions in front of pupils. And the Race to the Top program of the Obama administration has significantly affected spending priorities, teaching and learning in public schools. #1 Aug. 9, 2020 20:41:59. random11211 . Ultimately, schools remain responsible for what is said to their pupils. The Viking Vision maintains an open forum and accepts editorials, articles, as well as letters to the editor, which will be released frequently throughout the year. It is more important that teaching about contested views on political issues remains fair and dispassionate and pupils are presented a range of views over time, to ensure balance. However, on closer inspection, it does not provide a balanced account of the conflict. Nonetheless, and all the same, a political view is just that a "view" an opinion, a belief and an ideology. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the external agencies used, as well as any materials and communication with pupils, are appropriate and in line with schools legal duties on political impartiality. To develop a thoughtful political conscious, students must garner a well-rounded base of knowledge, of which they may refer to as needed in discussion. Where schools remain unsure if a topic is a political issue it is advisable to avoid promoting a particular view to pupils. This section focuses on supporting schools to meet their legal duty to take steps to ensure pupils receive a balanced presentation of opposing views, where political issues are brought to their attention. Politics can be discussed in class as long as it doesnt degrade other people. Schools can work with external agencies that hold partisan political views or are engaged in political activity, provided they do not undermine fundamental British values or take extreme political positions. For other pupil-led activities, schools will have to make reasonable decisions about where the line is drawn between support for personal development and interests, and where school resources are being used inappropriately. This brings us to the third reason why homework should be banned. They can then judge whether, and how, they might be covered appropriately with pupils. This means that where there is the widespread political activity by pupils, it may be appropriate for schools to proactively address and teach about the issues being raised. It is a student by student basis, even some seniors dont get interested.. If these views are likely to be mentioned, the school should consider steps to ensure that pupils are aware of their contested nature and receive a balanced account of related political issues. In relevant case law - Dimmock v Secretary of State for Education and Skills [2007] - the court considered that the best synonym for the term partisan is one-sided and suggested that political views are those expressed with a political purpose, such as to further the interests of a particular partisan group, change the law or change government policy. The general premise of this ruling has subsequently been followed by numerous school districts. However, it is particularly important for local authorities, school proprietors and headteachers to make sure these legal duties are being met and consider what steps can be taken across their schools to ensure political impartiality in teaching. This is where potential issues lie. Most of the time, political talk is banned in school, meaning our rights to freedom of speech are violated, too. This includes legal requirements under the: Schools are also required to actively promote the fundamental British values of: Schools designated with a religious character are free to teach according to the tenets of their faith. However, conflicts abound in interpreting such vague statutes. We are clear that this guidance does not seek to limit the range of political issues and viewpoints schools can and do teach about. This does not mean that schools cannot teach younger pupils about political issues. We have heard it said many timesso one may think that it is true and is good behavior. The Viking Vision maintains the right to cut all submissions in accordance to length as well as content. They mean people should address politics more directly in their art. Welcome back! Teachers are regarded as an authority on the subjects that they teach, especially by younger pupils Failing to teach pupils about different views, either by inviting a range of external speakers or by simply teaching about other candidates and political parties, might be interpreted as promoting a particular partisan political view. As part of celebrations marking the anniversary of womens suffrage in the UK, a secondary school asks a womens group to host a session with pupils to teach them about the history of the British feminist movement. They should consider whether, without specific additional context, the resource may undermine a balanced presentation or promote partisan political views. Regardless of how anyone feels, it's okay that there exist different opinions. Schools should consider the likelihood of this happening when deciding whether to permit certain pupil-led activities. Schools can still teach about the topics these organisations would cover and the partisan political views they hold. Taking government as a ninth grader hurts [this development] because kids havent had the exposure to form their own beliefs. But for the sake of our nation and for the sake of peace on our planet, the adage must be FALSE. Only 1% of students, on the other hand, say that homework is not a significant source of stress. Politics in general in the classroom is OK, but students have no need to know a teacher's personal politics nor should it be allowed to slant in any way what or how they teach. And bias is the force that drives us to push our beliefs while marginalizing opposing views. Discussing politics can often bring up controversial topics that must be approached delicately in the classroom, especially amongst young, impressionable students. If we were to maintain this pattern, schools wouldn't have to set high expectations for their students. Legal requirements on political impartiality in schools fall specifically on: This does not mean that other teachers and staff should not be aware of and consider these statutory requirements. Pupils must understand that these are contested views and still receive a balanced account of the political issue in question. 1. It is important for our students to understand how critical, democratic political debates work. Whilst 50 years ago students might have had no interest in talking about politics, today there is a thirst for knowledge, discussion and debate. Its okay to have opinions, but we must make sure that they reflect our morals. As soon as we erect a wall between student and teacher. "I think teachers should be allowed to express their political beliefs, if they state it as . One Should Never Discuss. We know its happening. It should also clarify the role of the specific bodies and individuals subject to the legal duties. From a young age, students form political opinions based on things theyve overheard from their parents, family or from social influencers online. Career Teachers Limited, Registered Address: 9 Devonshire Square, Spitalfields, London, EC2M 4HP. This includes through the distribution of materials or the advertisement of events and campaigns. Different groups, including political parties and campaign groups, may have partisan political views on the best way to address climate change. From footballers to politicians, the decision has been roundly criticised; EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it "a . Politics deals with a lot of controversial subjects (as do compulsory subjects like Science) so the Education Authority may fear that school students are too young. Whilst primary school teachers may be reluctant to address global conflicts and other challenging topics with their children, the benefits o. Whilst there is widespread teaching in schools around the First and Second World Wars, there is far less around current armed conflicts. It will help those working with and in schools to understand how these legal duties might impact teaching and extra-curricular activity. We get it. However, teachers should also consider how best to place these topics in the appropriate historical context. Tyler, The Creator Albums Ranked Worst to Best, The Horrifying Truth About School Shootings, Social Media and Its Impact on Politics and Extremism, An In-Depth Look at Brandon Sandersons The Way of Kings, Your email address will not be published. All staff have a responsibility to ensure that they act appropriately in terms of their behaviour, the views they express and the use of school resources. now that may seem like im lying, . Although the 2016 presidential election has come to a close, many of those who witnessed the bedlam still taste the air of contention and discord among themselves. As citizens of America, they have the right to free speech just like every other person in the country. Travis Rother, a civics teacher at Chanhassen High School in Minnesota . It is important that all schools treat concerns about impartiality from parents, carers, or others seriously. They should not take a mechanistic approach to ensuring a balanced presentation of opposing views. Teachers and staff can facilitate this discussion, supporting pupils to understand the different arguments on each side of the debate. This could later shape a new wave of voters and politicians who are exposed to opinions outside their family circles. They should be clear about the facts including laws in place to protect groups targeted by such views, as well as risks and harms of such views. Also, we participate in debates during class, so why not allow us to politely debate issues that affect our lives? In June 2021, (Pride Month, of all months) the Hungarian parliament passed a controversial new law banning LGBTI education for children. In this scenario, opposing views should be explicitly expressed as not being your own. should politics be discussed in schools. We must agree on the importance of implementing political education. Your email address will not be published. While talking about politics in school could cause a lot of commotion and some problems, it should be a fine topic to discuss if youre mature enough. Regardless of how strongly a teacher feels about a political issue, they cannot actively promote their views in the classroom. Schools should consider the age-appropriateness of such issues and any materials used to support teaching, as well as any requisite information pupils will need to understand them properly. Challenging intolerant, racist or discriminatory views where these are shared at school should be seen as part of schools wider anti-bullying and safeguarding duties. Vianca Malave, Reporter February 25, 2021. We have learned how to be respectful when others speak their minds about a certain topic. A few resist. Future, Quality. 2. There are existing arrangements for the regulation of teachers professional conduct. Politics can be a very complex topic, with many different views, opinions and points of discussion. When considering working with external agencies, either to support the delivery of the curriculum or extra-curricular, schools should thoroughly assess external agencies before agreeing to any work with them. Where there are concerns about political impartiality at a school, we recommend these are raised in this manner as most issues will be able to be resolved without using formal complaints procedures. Current FCPS regulations in regards to political discussion mandate that an educator may not impose their political views unto a student, or exploit them by means of required political materials or activities. For some teachers, rejecting some form of political discussion is nearly impossible. Though teachers shouldnt express their own politics in the classroom (especially considering the latest DoE guidelines), political debate shouldnt be written off. Although not explicitly prohibited in the Independent Schools Standards, it is unlikely it would ever be appropriate for pupils of this age to engage in political activity at any school. Politics doesnt have to be Donald Trump, Brexit or immigration policy. The students should a . Oakdale senior, Alexander Queiroz, further emphasized the point when asked about whether the inclusion of politics was appropriate in a school setting by stating, Yes absolutely, but preferably informed political discussion. Many are confused. Teachers may also wish to proactively warn pupils about common misinformation relevant to the political issues being taught. In some cases, pupils may have a strong personal interest in political issues and may seek to engage in political activity within school, such as protests or displaying political symbols. In presenting a balanced account of opposing views, schools are not required to teach about unsubstantiated theories and conspiracies. Have your own Podcast? This might be through further teaching to help them understand other views on the issue. Such topics should only be considered as political issues - and in scope of legal duties on balance - where relevant to current political issues and debate. Legal duties on political impartiality ultimately help schools command the confidence of our whole diverse and multi-opinioned society. Parents, and even teachers, may feel concerned about their children and their students talking politics in school because of the bias and incivility that comes with it. This includes independent schools. February 29, 2020. Whether or not your kids do debating with other students in school, it is always a great idea to practise these kind of arguments at home with the family as well! It does not include any new statutory requirements. A school may work with a charity that separately campaigns in favour of partisan political views on welfare, economic and social reform, provided this is on non-partisan activity. In addition, low energy transportation options will be discussed, including bicycling and public transportation. should politics be discussed in schools. Following a complaint, it becomes clear that during a lesson a teacher suggested to pupils that it is an objective fact that the political system of a certain country is the fairest and best in the world. In this episode, we are discussing whether politics should be brought up in the classroom or not. Politics are a debatable topic when discussed with our family, co-workers, and friends. We have all heard about this years politics everywhere, whether its on social media, with your family, and even in school. An informed electorate is required for a democracy to thrive, and the knowledge needed doesnt suddenly come to one when they turn eighteen. Politics is a major part of the lives of our students. This may be particularly helpful for new teachers and staff, as well as those in (or working towards) leadership positions. Yes, school is meant to be a community for learning, but we need to make it a safe space for all. Servants of the church who claim that they are not political are indeed political. When analyzing a social studies classroom, most would agree that the prime focus is on the relationship between human societies and the relationships of the humans within those societies. Schools will need to teach about political issues in many areas of the curriculum. Teachers shouldn't promote their own political agenda It's important to note that sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act prohibit the promotion of partisan political views in schools. Teaching about political issues might cover the factual basis and validity of claims made. Especially with increasingly insular political networks on social media. While it is necessary for teachers to discuss these important issues, since decisions made by politicians affect everyone's lives, it is also vital that teachers do not reveal their own beliefs when talking to. In some cases, this may not be practical, but teachers and staff should be mindful of the risk that some pupils are influenced by the partisan political views expressed by their peers. They can also encourage listening to opposing views, as well as understanding how to critically assess opinions that they dont initially align with. Whether we watch the evening news, are involved in political activism, or write to our council to collect our recycling bins more regularly, politics underpins our existence. Teachers can intervene during a session, and in extreme cases stop a speaker. Democracy is an emphasized value in the school environment. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Discussion and debate of politics should, as it leads to people formulating new opinions and getting other political ideals other than that of their family. Schools should be a growing environment and safe space for all LGBTQ+ students, and should not discriminate against any of them based on their race, gender or sexuality. and 100s of thousands of schools use this site for learning purposes, and most of U.S. schools do not let their students talk about politics due to the following, physical fights, cyber bullying, bully, suicidal actions. Politics is a heavy subject which could also be seen as too difficult for people aged 16 and under to learn. There are many external agencies that, whilst holding partisan political views and engaging in political activity, do not take extreme political positions. Where there are concerns that a pupil is expressing extremist views and is vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, staff should follow their safeguarding policies and procedures. This means encouraging their support for, or the adoption of, these views. Where judged to be necessary and helpful, they may wish to arrange training on political impartiality for teachers and staff. Children are the future From the classroom to the polling booth, all the way to The House of Commons. Further guidance is available on protecting children from radicalisation. Taking photos? Where an external speaker has expressed partisan political views or failed to provide a balanced account of a political issue, and this is not made clear to pupils, teachers should use their judgement to determine what reasonable and proportionate steps should be taken to ensure that this is rectified. On the other hand, government teacher Mr. Nate Smarick responded, Some develop an interest in middle school. Sensitive social and political topics should be discussed in school. Generally, teachers interpret this guideline to abstain from influencing a students views beyond the role of a mediator or a devils advocate. Class debates revolve around social issues, current politicaltopics such as abortion or gun control, or their opinions on certain candidates. This guidance should support those working with and in schools to understand the relevant legal duties. "The reality is that almost everything that goes on is, in fact . In the case of. A recent article in The Spectator suggests that government should keep out of this debate altogether and leave the contents of the national curriculum to the experts; the teachers. For more recent historical events including those which are particularly contentious and disputed, political issues may be presented to pupils. Spring Term 2022 key dates for Primary, Secondary and SEND Schools. But just how much should we be talking about politics in the classroom? When teaching about an ongoing humanitarian crisis and whether the UK should intervene militarily, teachers may just outline broad arguments in favour and against this option. The classroom is the perfect place for this to happen. If you said yes to any of these, then Publications is for you. Schools will have processes for engaging informally with parents and carers and the wider school community. This includes those which are challenging and controversial. Teachers should not draw pupils to a single conclusion but should correct factual inaccuracies in pupils understanding. This includes helping pupils understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making. We are talking about the beginning of life, not of spirit. An anonymous opinion was posted that stated, "It shouldn't be a requirement for having religion in school. External agencies may market resources and support to schools as part of popular awareness-raising events, for example, annual history months or historical anniversaries. Talking to people? Its important to note that sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act prohibit the promotion of partisan political views in schools. Climate change, school shootings and political gridlock are indicators of world change. Schools can teach about partisan political views effectively, without breaching their legal duties on political impartiality. Some are scared. Yes. We have published guidance on barring unsuitable individuals from managing independent schools. It was recently found that more 18-year-olds in the UK have a Facebook account than are registered to vote. Local authorities, school proprietors, academy trusts and headteachers should attempt to resolve issues around political impartiality brought to their attention. 78.3% of those who were surveyed stated the discussion of politics is absolutely necessary in a school environment. Some teachers flat out refuse to engage. I think Politics should be discussed in school. Some may consider this to be unnecessary since we are only teenagers in high school and shouldnt be so wrapped up in; it isnt something we can really even control or really even have a say in. Teachers may also wish to present opposing views to help pupils in the classroom receive a balanced account of the issue. These are views which go beyond the basic shared principle that racism is unacceptable, which is a view schools should reinforce. Weingarten v. Board of Education the ruling asserted, and courts upheld, the employees free speech concerning politics was limited in schools to educator designated areas. "Both what is taught and how it is taught is shaped by the cultural, social, political . Existing statutory requirements on political impartiality cover all schools, regardless of type or funding arrangement. By discussing the topic in depth, students are exposed to the political processes that adults engage in, and are given practice in thinking through and forming their own ideas in terms of. They are illustrative and not intended to be prescriptive guidance on which political issues schools should teach or specify set actions all schools must take. take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that, where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views. Schools can build pupils resilience to radicalisation by providing an environment for debating controversial and sensitive issues, whilst adhering to requirements on political impartiality. That is why Im pleased this government is publishing clear guidance explaining schools existing legal duties on political impartiality. sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act. Understanding where views and opinions go further than this and where the legal duties on political impartiality may be relevant, is an important part of doing this effectively. Contrary to critical belief, exposing students to political thought in school does in no means imply that students are being force fed opinions and thoughts that are not their own. Politics are a major issue in the world we live in and even if teachers are not able to adequately teach it, it will not remove it as a problem in society. Education Politics should be involved when providing an education on the subject, but not to pressure or persuade one to have the same political views. Examples of extreme political positions include, but are not limited to: Working with such organisations is not compatible with schools requirements to actively promote fundamental British values, and such organisations pose a high risk of undermining these values. When teaching students to pass a test, rather than to expand the depth of their knowledge about the world, political discussion cannot thrive. But should all teachers engage with politics in the classroom? This can be an effective way of engaging pupils and building their understanding of democracy. Each person should develop their own knowledge base, not be taught it, although many people learn theirs through talk and social media Robert Douglas Lives in The United States of America Author has 2K answers and 511.4K answer views 3 y Related Political issues are particularly important to cover in certain subjects, for example, citizenship or history. For example, a teacher may wear a pin advocating for a candidate within a teachers lounge, but not in their classroom. However, if the school were to display a banner demanding reform to the NHS or changes to NHS funding levels, this would not be appropriate and risks breaching their requirements on political impartiality. It wasn't until the 2016 election did I really start paying attention to the world and events going on around me. Determining whether a topic constitutes a political issue may require careful consideration. For balance, classroom discussions on a political issue should always remain neutral. High school students should be intelligent enough not to accept their teacher's opinion as truth on politics. State laws banning critical race theory in schools are censoring educators and the curriculum. Teachers and staff can, however, explain to pupils how they can get more actively involved outside of school. Despite this, talking about politics in the classroom has always been controversial. Similarly, Christians should stand against evil, no matter who says it. Now is not the time to present your own views and bias, rather it's to teach your students to be educated voters. Homework can be a source of anxiety. This is appropriate when done for illustrative purposes and when pupils understand the nature of these materials, and that they promote partisan political views. The abundance of social studies classes at Oakdale effectively serves this purpose, from basic history classes like World History, to classes that focus on specific components of those classes, such as World Religions. If the class cant offer an alternative view on a political issue, a teacher can play devil's advocate to raise potential counterpoints. This saying is rooted in avoidance and fear. At school, children and young people are often first exposed to important political issues. Not all charities and civil society organisations will hold partisan political views. Where political issues are covered with younger pupils, it may be advisable to consider how they might be taught differently compared to older age groups. Not to mention, we're bound to carry this trait for the rest of our lives. Teachers should seek to manage these activities to ensure that all pupils receive a balanced account of the political issues being covered. Often simple steps can be taken to address concerns. This includes avoiding endorsing any partisan political views put forward. Should politics be allowed in schools? Educators should be the leaders in encouraging students to express their thoughts in school. Fierydiscussions should be encouraged in a classroom as they allowstudentsto develop their critical thinking skills and express themselves in a mature manner. Especially if they provide no evidence to back up their opinion. They may also be held by campaign groups, lobbyists and charitable organisations. If there were to happen across the nation, politics would surely need to become a more integral part of the learning environment. But biases that favour one side of the aisle that aren't based on facts or evidence should evidently not be allowed. I hope this guidance can offer assurance to most schools that their legal duties in this area are being met without issue. This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. It is hosted by an external organisation which does not seem to have an obvious partisan political affiliation. As Mrs. Briggs puts it, Its our job to expose them [students] to the facts of how the government works and to apply to whats happening in the real world so they can form own opinions about those things. It is important to note that many ongoing ethical debates and topics will constitute a political issue. Where schools wish to teach about specific campaigning organisations, such as some of those associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, they should be aware that this may cover partisan political views. In practice, this could include hanging a poster of one candidate in a classroom, and in complying with this rule, including a picture of the opposer. It is an important way in which schools support pupils to become active citizens who can form their own views, whilst having an understanding and respect for legitimate differences of opinion. An assembly is organised to help pupils understand the importance of taking steps to prevent and eliminate racism in the school and wider society. Secretary of State for Education. None of that makes it less true: teaching is an inherently political activity. See the section on balance in teaching for more information. However, the debate shouldnt be whether climate change exists. In these instances, it is important for schools to use their reasonable judgement as to whether teaching would be age-appropriate. This can be done as part of a basic online search, which schools will most likely do already. Teachers can explore how claims made by supporters and opponents of the policies are supported by evidence, including in economic theory, academic studies, and other sources. should politics be discussed in schools. Schools should not take steps to ensure balance if they are clearly inappropriate or would undermine effective teaching. The resource appears to be helpful as it provides both factual content, and excerpts from statements by significant political figures from both sides of the conflict. The current Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, Ms. Colleen Bernard, agrees with this statement. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Why Politics Should Be Taught at School. The need to cover political issues in more depth, including ideas which are particularly challenging and controversial, is likely to increase as pupils progress to more advanced levels of study. But that shouldnt stop us allowing our kids to involve themselves in healthy political debate. This includes those where there is a factual consensus which pupils should be aware of. Pupils might be taught about an upcoming general election and key policies in political parties manifestos. Political discussions are becoming more polarised. Politics shouldn't be discussed in schools because teachers may bias their students. Schools should be mindful that some external agencies may hold more contentious and less appropriate partisan political views than may be initially apparent. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. 'I believe that politics should be a part of the school curriculum because it is a pinnacle subject of everyday life and should be a necessity to be taught in depth how politics works and how politician's parties function. Religion or Politics! However, there are limits to the discussions. Learn about community . But before you speak about your feelings and argue with people about it, understand that people might not think the same way as you. So by default, politics should never be discussed in a public school period. The one place where a student may not be encircled by homogeneous opinions is school. Showing your voice and what you have to say is a world experience we need. The school may want to discuss this with the speaker, to ensure that these views are not presented in a way that would constitute the promotion of partisan political issues. Vianca Malave is a sophomore this year. Required fields are marked *, Kylie Dawn | Feb 25, 2021 at 1:18 pm. If students want to discuss politics, they can do so outside of school. In some cases, it may be appropriate for a school to take steps to ensure that pupils, who have been subject to imbalanced teaching, receive a balanced account of any political issues raised, as soon as possible. For a student to become educated in democracy and critical thinking, they need to learn that an opinion is just that an opinion. Where concerns do arise, from parents and carers, or others in the school community, it is important that these are treated seriously and handled with the necessary sensitivity. On this topic, the debate could, for example, be centred around what we could do to help to solve the problem. Most are generally aware of the broad interpretations of various social conflicts and cases, but do not possess an adequate platform to express their own thoughts and opinions. When teaching about sensitive political issues relating to discrimination, teachers should still be mindful to avoid promoting partisan political views or presenting contested theories as fact. It is preferable, where practical, to present pupils with a reasonable range of views on a political issue in the interest of balance and effective teaching. A Christian's primary goal in life should be to love God and love others. According to a Stanford University poll, homework is a significant source of stress for 56 percent of youngsters. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. Schools should be conscious of the fact that in some instances staff behaviour outside school may become visible to pupils, particularly when social media is used. Politics should not be discussed in schools. Teachers and staff are in a position of authority and will typically be respected and trusted by the pupils they teach, giving their personal opinions greater weight and credibility. Something that eventually we would have to do and it would impact us greatly by teaching us the thing every adult should do. On both of these topics, encouraging students to create and engage in opposing campaigns, and then debating them with each other can give them a solid grounding for how democratic debates work. This can involve challenging or asking for evidence of claims made by external agencies about their work and how this interacts with schools legal duties on political impartiality. I only knew things based on what people would talk about at school or from my parents mentioning it to me. In these circumstances, schools should ensure that the partisan political views in question are not being inadvertently promoted to pupils. Sex, sexuality, respectful relationships, and gender all need to be discussed in schools as a component of a whole-school approach . 11 votes, 28 comments. The church's language is not spectator language. There is no reason that schools cannot have public displays and communications, to mark significant awareness-raising or community events or for other reasons, provided they do not promote partisan political views. They should not inhibit the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum. In the case of Weingarten v. Board of Education the ruling asserted, and courts upheld, the employees free speech concerning politics was limited in schools to educator designated areas. Teachers and staff should support this and can help pupils to act and conduct non-political activities. The promotion of partisan political views might be through overtly inappropriate conduct by teachers and staff such as encouraging pupils to support a particular political party or candidate in an election. I know what people mean when they say artists should be "more political". This is an issue that political candidates in an upcoming local election have campaigned on, advocating different approaches and views. For example, there is no need to present views which are not relevant or apply the same principles described here when teaching about topics that are not political issues. Politics is a belief system, not an academic subject. Schools should provide a safe space in which children, young people and staff can understand and discuss sensitive topics, including terrorism and the extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology. These requirements also apply to academies. This guidance does not include any new statutory requirements and is based on legal duties on political impartiality that have been in place for many years, and which we know most school leaders, teachers and staff already consider in their work. This could be done either by asking the agency to avoid covering their partisan political views in the session or by the school taking steps to ensure pupils are aware of the contested nature of these views and taught about opposing views. However, there is a risk that doing so could sometimes amount to promoting a partisan political view or compromise the balanced presentation of opposing views. This will allow any necessary steps to be taken to ensure this engagement does not risk breaching schools legal duties on political impartiality. For this reason, teachers more often than not choose to keep their political opinions to themselves. Schools might encourage pupils to think about environmental issues and consider how this impacts them personally. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Despite gaining assurances from the organisation before the session that they would present a balanced account, during the session it becomes clear that this is not the case. Pupils engagement and interest in political issues should be encouraged. Growing up in a liberal or conservative household undoubtedly guides any childs political identity due to the simple fact that they are surrounded by those who hold those political views. School leaders and employers will need to judge whether it is necessary or helpful to have a school wide policy on teachers expressing personal opinions on political issues in the classroom, or whether this is best left to teachers own judgement on a case-by-case basis. Schools should be aware of this information in advance of any engagement involving pupils. Uncategorized. The Viking Vision is an open forum operated by the Journalism class of Valencia High School. Should we change our attitude towards these discussions, or stick to the way it has always been? Potentially, a single step out of line could lead to a disciplinary, parental anger, and even social media outrage. School leaders, staff and teachers will need to interpret the terminology in schools legal duties on political impartiality using their reasonable judgement. Some political issues will be more sensitive than others. School staff are free to engage in political activity, provided this is outside the school in their own time and at their own expense. Not all areas of ethical debate are political issues. Any steps taken to ensure these legal duties are met should be reasonable and proportionate. Especially with increasing coverage in the media. This is particularly important when teaching about historical events, including those which may have constituted political issues at the time they happened. This is so they know what was discussed and can follow up with their pupils. I have noticed a lack of political education in public schools and personally, that bothers me. There are some topics that can be discussed openly without risking heated controversy. The general premise of this ruling has subsequently been followed by numerous school districts. Not everyone sees eye to eye on things. They should also be clear that they have no place in our society. Legal duties on political impartiality should not impede methods of teaching that involve pupils adopting and arguing in favour, or against, partisan political views, such as mock and parallel elections or debates, hustings events or visits from local candidates or political party representatives. All articles must adhere to the Viking Vision Code of Conduct and be signed by the author. It should be a choice for religion to be a requirement. Instead, there is continued debate, where different legitimate views are expressed. I understand that it can be Our educators may think that were immature and naive when it comes to handling these delicate subjects, but weve been taught better. This makes it a great political discussion for students. Schools need to prepare students for political engagement in a nonpartisan way, even though the "real world" of politics is increasingly partisan and polarized. I encourage everyone to read through this guidance, and to keep in mind that in most cases simple steps can be taken to address any issues relating to political impartiality that arise. There are . This may require additional teaching, ideally in advance of engagement with the external agency. As stated in the SASD school board policy, "In the discussion of any event, a teacher may express a personal opinion but shall identify it at such, and must not express an opinion for the purpose of persuading students to his/her point of view.". For example, a teacher may wear a pin advocating for a candidate within a teachers lounge, but not in their classroom. Meeting the legal duties on. For instance, the apparently factual content includes partisan political views on both historical events in the region, presented without additional context that would make clear that these are contested views. If they were to take it as an upperclassmen, then that would lead to more political discussion, explains social studies teacher Ms. Pam Briggs. But whatever an individual teacher's views might be, it is important to remember that sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act prohibit the promotion of partisan political views in schools. The intricacies of the subject are discussed in depth in terms of past court cases, past presidential elections, and past conflicts; offering students an adequate background for the issues we face today. We can tolerate one another in ways where we dont feel judged. If a few start doing this then others would be intrigued and encouraged to know about the happenings of the world. For maintained schools, there is a direct prohibition on the pursuit of partisan political activity by junior pupils (meaning those under the age of 12) within the school and in any activities outside school involving staff members or anyone acting on behalf of the school. And if a parent or a person of authority discovers you expressing them in the classroom, it can lead to serious problems. This can be done in many ways through the curriculum, including in teaching subjects like relationships, sex and health education, and citizenship. The scenarios included are designed to support an understanding of how schools legal duties on political impartiality can be met. All the Yes points: Young people need a better understanding of Politics An informed electorate is the key to a strong democracy. In a safe bubble, students need to be seen as people who can think for themselves, rather than people who are forced to keep their views hidden. A message such as Thank You NHS or similar would not present a risk to political impartiality as it is unlikely to be perceived as promoting partisan political views or compromising the balanced treatment of political issues. However, they should aim to equip teachers and staff with skills to ensure their teaching is balanced and an awareness of commonplace risks to political impartiality. It is important for schools to look at the wider partisan political views held by the organisation, so they are aware of these. But our personal views can be more penetrating than you might imagine. forbid the promotion of partisan political views. Developing a political identity isnt often high on the priority list for many students. We all look at things from different viewpoints and thats normal. Local authorities, school proprietors, academy trusts and headteachers should actively promote staff awareness of the statutory requirements and relevant information, including this guidance. External agencies, including charitable organisations, can help to enhance and supplement both the delivery of the curriculum and wider school activity. This may involve further teaching or some form of clarification. Where different external agencies are frequently invited to speak to pupils, schools may wish to consider whether the organisations presented to pupils represent a fair cross-section of different political views. To meet the legal duties on political impartiality, teachers should simply ensure they are not presenting these ideologies as fact or promoting the partisan political views being covered. More relationships have been abandoned in the last several years because of politics. Schools do not need to present misinformation, such as unsubstantiated claims that anthropogenic climate change is not occurring, to provide balance here. The content and materials used in any engagement with pupils should be: Schools should not hesitate to explicitly request that external agencies avoid covering certain partisan political views, where they are not deemed relevant or appropriate. For many teachers, however, this approach was problematic. In most cases, this will not be necessary, unless the views expressed are dangerous to pupils and pose a safeguarding risk. Schools should be conscious of resources from external agencies that might initially appear appropriate but may contain bias and undermine a balanced account of the political issues being taught. An informed electorate is required for a democracy to thrive, and the knowledge needed doesnt suddenly come to one when they turn eighteen. Making videos? Some political issues do not relate directly to government policy at all, for example, campaigns for companies and other organisations, education settings or individuals to change their own policies, practices, and behaviours. See the section on using external agencies for more information. Teaching about political issues, the different views people have, and the ways pupils can engage in our democratic society is an essential part of a broad and balanced curriculum. You may cancel at any time. Discussions about these matters might be reserved for older pupils who are more likely to be able to understand and engage in this debate and develop a balanced understanding of opposing views. https://lhstoday.org/25361/opinion/should-politics-be-discussed-in-school/#comment-485. This includes in difficult and sensitive circumstances where the boundaries of what is and isnt appropriate and in line with the legal duties, may not be clear. 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