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Massachusetts Adopts Student Choice Policy
New DOE Policy Spurs Awareness Campaign
The Ethical Science & Education Coalition (ESEC), the educational affiliate of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, is spreading the word about the Massachusetts Department of Education’s (DOE) new policy that protects students who choose not to participate in animal dissection and allows students to learn through humane alternatives.
Despite ESEC’s longstanding and unwavering efforts, Massachusetts lawmakers have not seen fit to enact a dissection choice law for students in this state. Regardless, ESEC has successfully protected students’ rights to humane dissection alternatives.
The student choice policy provides that all public schools that offer dissection as a learning activity should, upon written request by a student’s parent or guardian, permit a student who chooses not to participate in dissection to demonstrate competency through an alternative method. ESEC worked hard for this success by, among other things: testifying before the DOE, supplying the Commissioner, his Board and assigned study committee with expert information on the advantages of using alternatives; writing letters offering our support which included complete information on our free loan library of alternatives; lobbying our members to support a favorable DOE decision; and continuously working with teachers and students throughout Massachusetts.
Now ESEC is spreading the word about this important policy to all Massachusetts students. Based on our experience in other states where dissection choice policies or laws have been passed, many humane students may not be aware of their rights. Accordingly, ESEC staff and volunteers are hitting the streets to raise awareness of dissection choice in Massachusetts and to remind students that they can choose humane alternatives.
Dissection choice has arrived in Massachusetts – help us spread the word!
ESEC thanks the Honorable Representative Lou L. Kafka and the Honorable Senator Pamela P. Resor who have worked tirelessly for the rights of Massachusetts students.
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Why Support a Dissection Choice Bill?
It is imperative that there are laws and policies that protect students whose religious, moral, or ethical beliefs prevent them from participating in specimen dissection. Alternatives to animal dissection include sophisticated computer programs, models, charts, videos, and/or books and, according to various educational studies, provide an equivalent and often better educational experience.
The Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC) supports legislation and state policy that allows students the right to a science education respectful of and consistent with their beliefs.
ESEC provides a variety of resources for teachers and students interested in dissection alternatives:
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Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC)
E-mail: esec@neavs.org
Web: http://www.neavs.org/esec
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