PROTECTION OF TEACHERS FROM PRESSURE GROUP DEMANDS SUPPORTED

WHEREAS, until recently, democracy in education had become increasingly established as a recognized principle,

WHEREAS, during the past five years, with increasing attacks upon the democratic faith, various pressure groups have been demanding that teachers conform to patterns fixed by non-educational considerations, such as special loyalty oaths, and these groups seek to influence both the methods and materials used by teachers in the classroom,

WHEREAS, such community pressures, based on fear and suspicion, have created a feeling of insecurity among teachers everywhere,

WHEREAS, our young people cannot be educated for democratic citizenship in an atmosphere of fear such as prevails in totalitarian societies,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the American Ethical Union support the following principles and beliefs as a guide in matters affecting the relations between the community and professional educators:

1. WE BELIEVE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT:
   1. Competent teachers and administrators.
   2. A curriculum which is based upon respect for and development of the potentialities of the individual students.
   3. That the curriculum be developed in accord with democratic principles. "Supervisors, teachers, pupils, parents and other persons vitally concerned with education and welfare should have a share in determining general curriculum content and pattern and in setting standards of achievement and behavior". (*) However, the final selection of specific content, curriculum materials, and procedures should be left to the professional educators in whom the community has placed its trust.

2. WE BELIEVE THAT:
   1. A teacher should encourage the discussion of controversial issues when these are related to the topic he teaches and are appropriate to the school level.
   2. Alternate points of view must be thoroughly presented. The student should be free to learn all points of view. He must also give a decent consideration to the opinion of others.

(*) Guiding Principles in Curriculum Development, Board of Education of the City of New York, 1942-43, p.12.

Source: Whereas ... 1962

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