Requested Information
Request for information on Dissection Policy
On behalf of the National Anti-Vivisection Society, I’m submitting a request pursuant to Maryland’s Public Information Act, Title 4 of the General Provisions of the Maryland Code. I am seeking information on Harford County’s School Board policy towards and participation in dissection activities.
Specifically, we would like the following information for 2015, 2016 and where available, for 2017:
1. Do schools in your County use animal specimens for science education?
2. Does the County School Board have a written policy on accommodating student requests to opt out of or use an alternative to dissecting animal specimens?
o If so, please provide a copy of that policy.
3. If animal specimens are used in classrooms in the County, how many animal specimens are purchased each year for this purpose?
4. What type of animal specimens are purchased?
5. How much money was spent by public schools in the County on dissection specimens/kits and related dissection supplies (ie., specimen pans and scalpels) for 2015, 2016 and 2017?
o If the final expenditures are not available for 2017, would you please give us the amount budgeted for that purpose?
On behalf of the National Anti-Vivisection Society, I’m submitting a request pursuant to Maryland’s Public Information Act, Title 4 of the General Provisions of the Maryland Code. I am seeking information on Harford County’s School Board policy towards and participation in dissection activities.
Specifically, we would like the following information for 2015, 2016 and where available, for 2017:
1. Do schools in your County use animal specimens for science education?
2. Does the County School Board have a written policy on accommodating student requests to opt out of or use an alternative to dissecting animal specimens?
o If so, please provide a copy of that policy.
3. If animal specimens are used in classrooms in the County, how many animal specimens are purchased each year for this purpose?
4. What type of animal specimens are purchased?
5. How much money was spent by public schools in the County on dissection specimens/kits and related dissection supplies (ie., specimen pans and scalpels) for 2015, 2016 and 2017?
o If the final expenditures are not available for 2017, would you please give us the amount budgeted for that purpose?
Status
Complete
Response Notes
Please note, dissection of animals is not part of the curriculum at the middle or elementary level. Additionally, teachers and individual schools are responsible for putting into practice information in the above materials when utilizing dissection in the classroom and on materials distributed to students and parents.
Responsive Documents
Information shared with students and parents regarding HCPSS courses in-which dissection may be used (Science starts on page 117).
Information on dissection as used within curricular materials supplied to HCPSS teachers.