Toronto Campaign

Student Choice Policy on animal dissection - Trustee Matlow

Whereas the Toronto District School Board does not yet have a formal policy giving students the right to choose an alternative to animal dissection and options are currently up to the discretion of the school or teacher.

Whereas Stay Safe, a health and safety reference for secondary school science is the product of a partnership involving the Science Teachers Association of Ontario (STAO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) and the following Boards of Education: District School Board of Niagara, Greater Essex County District School Board, Halton District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto District School Board, Upper Canada District School Board, Waterloo Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board and states that:

Teachers should be aware that some students may dislike handling parts of animals, and others may object on cultural, religious or ethical grounds. No pressure should ever be exerted on students to take part in these activities. Models of skeletons or body organs can sometimes provide a useful alternative to using animal parts. Videos and interactive CD's can also be used.

Whereas computer programs, three-dimensional models, videos and anatomical charts can be used multiple times which is much more cost-effective than animal specimens for dissection which can only be used once. Alternatives allow students to learn at their own pace through trial and error, giving them the ability to repeat procedures ;and

Whereas student's rights are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), s. 2, which states that everyone has "freedom of conscience and religion" and "freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression". Students do not have to violate their ethical principles and/or religious beliefs in order to receive a good quality education.

Whereas a student choice policy would give students an opportunity to discuss their feelings openly and would guarantee their right not to compromise their values

Whereas if a student is forced to do an activity that they are ethically, culturally, religiously or environmentally opposed to, they may not learn anything at all.

There it be resolved:

1. Alternatives to dissection must be available in all science classes for students who choose not to dissect animals
2. The responsibility for creating an alternative lies with the school, not the student
3. Requiring the student to watch others dissect an animal is not an alternative; the student must be allowed to leave the room while the dissection takes place
4. Students will not be penalized or ostracized in any way for choosing the alternative exercise
5. All students must be informed in writing and through a verbal announcement that they have the right to withdraw from dissection activities. Information about this option should be provided at the beginning of each semester during which dissection is scheduled and just prior to the dissection.
6. An alternative activity should be provided to meet the same curriculum objective. The alternative must offer an equal learning experience that requires a comparable amount of time and effort and can be evaluated and graded fairly.