The BHUSD Board of Education on June 24 discussed a new policy that would limit what teachers can discuss in classrooms. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The Beverly Hills Unified School District is considering a policy that would limit teachers’ speech by prohibiting “sensitive” topics that do not directly relate to the approved curriculum, according to the draft policy.

The policy, titled “Standards-Based Instructional Environment,” states that “discussions of political, religious or socially sensitive topics must be directly relevant to the curriculum – particularly in courses like history, civics, government, geography or economics – and presented factually, objectively and without partisan bias.”

Additionally, the policy states that teachers in all other academic areas “must refrain from introducing political, ideological or personal commentary unrelated to approved instructional goals.”

The proposal goes further, stating that all staff must “refrain from promoting or opposing political parties, candidates, ballot measures or ideological causes; avoid displaying partisan materials that are not curriculum-aligned; not engage in political or ideological advocacy during instructional time; avoid discussing sensitive topics such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or geopolitical conflicts, unless directly connected to curriculum; respect and allow space for respectful, policy-compliant student expression; align all instructional and classroom content with state standards and board-approved educational materials.”

The draft policy also encourages staff members to report other teachers who may violate the policy, and states that disciplinary action may be taken against staff who violate the standards.

The proposal was put forward by BHUSD Board of Education Member Sigalie Sabag. The board discussed the policy at the June 24 meeting, but did not vote on whether to approve it.

The proposed policy was met with opposition from two community members.

“I want my kids to be ready for the world outside the classroom,” BHUSD parent Andrew Katz said. “I want them to be able to navigate in society, to be inclusive in their interactions with others. BHUSD is an inclusive place and that’s why I’m glad my kids go here. The Standards-Based Instructional Environment draft, however, opens the door to anti-inclusivity. School is a safe place for kids to try different things, open their minds to different thoughts and perspectives and feel supported – just like our homes are. This policy proposal can shut people out based on what other people are willing to accept … Teachers are on the frontlines, they’re with our kids the most. We need to trust their professional judgement. This policy would cause them to be constantly looking over their shoulder, second-guessing what they do. If they’re constantly in fear, our kids are going to feel it, and it’s going to affect their education negatively. Please stop its implementation.”

Beverly Hills Education Association President Katherine Warren requested that the item be tabled and brought to the bargaining table with the teacher’s union.

“Currently, board policy 6144, controversial issues, is in place, and this policy already addressed the intent and purpose of Standards-Based Instructional Environment,” Warren said. “I’m positive board members are aware that the collective bargaining agreement takes precedence over board policy. Article 9 of the agreement includes a dedicated section on controversial issues, with clear guidelines for how these topics should be addressed with students from TK-12th grade. If the board wishes to revise or clarify language related to controversial issues, the appropriate venue for that discussion is the bargaining table.”

Sabag argued that the existing board policy advises on how to teach controversial issues, but does not regulate discussion of sensitive topics outside of the curriculum.

“Let’s say you have a music class – which has happened. In music class, what is the curriculum of the teacher, what is the teacher supposed to be teaching? Music. So if we have a music teacher teaching politics, are you OK with that when it’s not in your curriculum and she shouldn’t be teaching politics?” Sabag said.

Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern acknowledged a need to hold teachers accountable for speech that makes students feel unsafe.

“In the time I’ve been here there have definitely been off-the-cuff comments – mainly from temporary substitutes. They have said some things that absolutely are unacceptable on any level. Whether it’s their own partisan bias, whether it’s their own perception about COVID masks – there’s been a lot of that that absolutely made children feel unsafe,” Stern said.

However, Stern stressed the importance of educators instilling critical thinking skills and students engaging with differing viewpoints.

“I stop short of trying to censor some of the activity that makes classrooms stimulating and fun,” Stern added. “We don’t want robots for teachers. We want people that we trust for their richness, for their background … To bring this forward is to create something that I feel is going backwards in terms of the type of rapport we want with some of our most excellent educators.”

Sabag and Stern will work together to discuss the policy before bringing it back to the board.

In an interview, Stern said she hopes that when the policy returns to the board, “it makes both students and teachers feel understood, but makes a distinction between civil discourse and discourse that is better left in other venues.”

She added that the draft policy is “redundant.”

“We already have a policy that speaks to this,” Stern said. “The bad behavior of a select few should not be used to punish everyone else, which further creates poor morale and a lack of trust among some of our most important assets – and that is our educators.”