Fairfax County recommends revising ‘Controversial Issues Policy’ so teachers don’t have to be ‘impartial’ but rather take a ‘clear position’ on ‘matters of contemporary controversy’

In a Dec. 8, 2020, meeting, the Fairfax County School Board Governance Committee discussed revising its “Controversial Issues Policy,” P3280.3, so that teachers would not have to “remain impartial” but rather “take a clear position on matters that may be perceived as controversial in order to affirm the dignity and belonging of all students.”

It said it would introduce a new “Anti-Bias, Anti-Racial Policy” with the revisions of the “Controversial Issues Policy.”

Buried in the documents was an explosive document: “Policy Development for Anti-Racism and Anti-Bias Education.”

It stated:

• “Revisions to the Controversial Issues Policy and Regulation are necessary to support a learning environment appropriate for anti- bias and anti-racism education. The current policy and regulation emphasize the need for teachers to remain impartial on matters of contemporary controversy. In contrast, meaningful anti-bias and anti-racism education requires teachers to take a clear position on matters that may be perceived as controversial in order to affirm the dignity and belonging of all students. The revisions will need to clarify expectations for teachers and students for supporting an inclusive learning environment when engaging controversial issues pertaining to bias, hate, and racism.”

Further more, the Policy Development document stated:

• “Fairfax County Schools acknowledges our history of systemic racism in our school system and we hope to initiate steps to reconciliation with our stakeholders by offering a Letter of Reckoning with Racism supported by policies that influence our actions to create, foster and sustain equitable outcomes for all students and families.”