In accordance with the 2005 Board of Education’s Policy on Dissection and Dissection Alternatives,
our School/School District has developed the following policy.
Participation in hands-on science is important to learning science and dissections are a valuable
learning experience in which all students are encouraged to participate. When dissection is used in the
classroom:

• Teachers will thoroughly explain the learning objectives of the lesson and use written and audio-visual materials as appropriate to maximize the educational benefits of the experience.
• All specimens will be treated with respect.
• All students will be informed, prior to the dissection, that they have the option of discussing individual concerns about dissection with the appropriate teacher.
• Upon completion of the dissection, the remains will be appropriately disposed of as recommended by the local board of public health.

Currently our school offers the following courses that include dissection: Biology, Honors Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Marine Science and AP Biology. The following science courses that allow for dissection alternatives are in Biology and Honors Biology. Upon written request of a student’s parent or guardian, our school will permit a student who objects to dissection activities to demonstrate competency through an alternative method. With the Anatomy and Physiology, Marine Science and
AP Biology courses performing dissections are a requirement and no alternatives will be offered.
The procedure for a student to participate in an alternative activity in place of dissection in Biology or Honors Biology is as follows:

• The student will notify the science teacher of the student’s choice to participate in an alternative method in place of participating in the dissection.
• The student will submit a written request from his or her parent/legal guardian to the science teacher or to the school principal.
• The student will be provided an alternative method to be determined by the teacher who will specify in writing what is expected of the student. Alternative methods should allow students to gain the same content knowledge as the dissection activity and should allow for a comparable investment of time and effort by the student.
• The student will accept responsibility for completing the alternative method within the assigned time and is expected to learn the same content knowledge as if the student were performing the dissection activity.
• The student will be subject to the same course standards and examinations as other students in the course.

This policy will be included in the student handbook and will also be provided to all teachers of science courses that involve dissection at the beginning of each school year.