Littleton Public Schools Regulation

Policy Code    IMA-R Policy Name Teaching Activities/Presentations Adoption September 8, 2005 Revised

Parents can expect the use of consistent standards in all District schools for opting out of teaching activities, presentations, or assigned materials. Under no circumstances will students intentionally be penalized or made to feel different, nor will parents choosing to exercise their right to opt out be criticized for their decision.

Opt-out (parent request required for nonparticipation) applies to the Board of Education-adopted curriculum and related activities that occur regularly or as a matter of course. Opting out always requires a showing of a bona fide reason, to avoid compulsory attendance issues. Replacement classes or activities may or may not be provided at the school’s sole discretion. All alternatives to the selected unit of study must be relevant to the District curriculum learner objectives.

Parents shall be notified by the school, with sufficient time and adequate detail, about upcoming potentially objectionable teaching activities, presentations, or assignments to allow time to opt out if desired. Subject to District and state graduation requirements, and the compulsory school attendance laws, parents may exercise the right on behalf of their child to opt out of:

· Physical education upon written request from the child’s physician stating the reason for the inability to participate

· Parties or holiday activities

· Board-adopted curriculum

· Assigned instructional materials

Schools will make their best efforts to identify and notify parents of the teaching materials or methods of instruction in upcoming curriculum that may reasonably be foreseen to offend the moral, ethical, religious, or political conscience of individuals, allowing adequate time for parents to review materials and opt out if desired.

Cross Reference:         IJK, Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption

                           IJK-R, Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption

                           IJK-E-1, Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption

                           IJK-E-2, Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption

Changes were made to this regulation on 8/16/05 and 8/31/05. The changes made on 8/31/05 were accepted by the Board on 9/8/05. This was a new regulation.