Vancouver Campaign

Vancouver School Board - Student Choice Policy Regarding Dissection
(passed April 2005)

Policy: The Board of Trustees acknowledges that learning about animal systems is among the learning outcomes of several years of the Provincial science curriculum and that animal dissection is one valuable and effective teaching strategy for learning about animal systems. At the same time, the Board affirms the right of students to choose not to participate in or observe animal dissections for religious or ethical reasons.

The Board further directs schools, within the resources available to them, to provide alternatives to dissection when students exercise this choice.

Procedures: All science teachers must be informed by the Superintendent of Schools of the policy regarding alternatives to animal dissection.

Science teachers will inform students of their right to choose an alternative to animal dissection in advance of the activity.

The teacher, along with the principal, is responsible for providing comparable and viable alternatives when a student chooses not to participate in a dissection for religious or ethical reasons. Alternatives may include the use of books, videotapes, models, films and computers. The district will support the school in the identification and provision of these materials.