The Issue

LBUSD classrooms are not the place for politically biased speech or advocacy. Teachers who hang posters or lead classes favoring a political candidate, or taking a stance on an international issue, undermine their role as unbiased guides for our students. Our teachers should foster an environment where critical thinking and authentic student voice is nurtured, empowering students to form their own opinions based on evidence and respectful discourse. Teachers should teach students how to think critically, not what to think. Teachers are not by law allowed to promote a political candidate or advocate for a specific side on a complex international issue.

We are mounting this petition because LBUSD administrators and the District are not currently ensuring that teachers adhere to state and federal laws prohibiting political bias in public education, maintaining an educational environment free from political indoctrination, and upholding the rights of all students to express diverse perspectives in a politically and ideologically neutral and respectful setting.

Examples of recent actions that contribute to a biased or hostile learning environment include:

 • Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom, and/or displaying political posters, materials, or symbolism promoting a specific candidate, party, or political ideology including biased materials such as political flags, signs, or slogans. [1] [2]

 • Promoting or outwardly supporting organizations that exclude or marginalize certain communities within our diverse student body and offering lessons or materials that favor one political ideology over others or present a skewed view of history and current events. [3] This includes incorporating political content into lessons that are unrelated to the subject matter, potentially creating division among students.

 • Using class time to engage in biased political discussions unrelated to the curriculum and academic goals of that class or assigning projects or discussions that push students to support specific political causes or viewpoints rather than encouraging independent thought. This includes soliciting and publicly endorsing students’ political views and giving preferential treatment to students whose opinions align with the teacher’s own or criticizing/belittling students who express differing political opinions, creating a climate of fear or intimidation. This may or may not include encouraging students to participate in political activism or rallies during instructional time or on school grounds. [4]

We believe that the classroom should be a space where students of all backgrounds feel welcomed and respected, free from undue political or ideological influence. We expect the District to uphold its responsibility to ensure that all staff foster an environment of inclusivity, neutrality, critical thinking and student voice. We believe in a safe learning environment where the diverse perspectives of our students are valued as they feel free to critically think and participate in healthy discussions without interference, indoctrination or bias from staff.

We are particularly concerned with recent behaviors of teachers at LBUSD high schools attempting to influence students with biased propaganda. At one high school, a teacher has — despite being repeatedly warned — continued to display politically charged attire in the classroom. Another LBUSD high school teacher has been intimidating students and posting politically biased information, removing it only when they are concerned about being caught having it up in the classroom. These are just two examples of undue bias in LBUSD classrooms.

We are asking LBUSD to provide and maintain an unbiased and inclusive education for all students, and to:

 1. Implement clear policies and training to reinforce teachers’ obligations to remain politically neutral.

 2. Establish accountability measures to address violations of political neutrality.

 3. Promote an educational culture that prioritizes critical thinking, respectful debate, and diverse perspectives.

 4. Include discussions and training that inform LBUSD teachers and contractors of examples of bias to eliminate from classrooms and employees’ and contractors’ social media platforms.

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Legal References:

[1] California Education Code §5155** - Prohibits the use of public school resources for political purposes.

[2] California Government Code §8320** - Restricts public employees, including teachers, from engaging in political activity during work hours.

[3] California Education Code §6006** - Requires instruction to be accurate, objective, and free from bias.

[4] California Education Code §4890** - Prohibits schools from coercing students to participate in political activities.