Most states and districts have established careful processes to determine what information is provided to students. This process also frequently acts in such a way as to limit exposure to controversial viewpoints or subjects. When teachers use the Internet with their students, decisions about the appropriateness of certain materials are no longer under the control of school textbook publishers or school textbook selection committees. The teacher bears the primary responsibility for the selection of materials. It is quite easy to anticipate that the use of the Internet in the classroom will provide a vehicle to expose students to a wide range of perspectives that have not traditionally been accessible in the classroom.
Most districts have policies on academic freedom.
It should not be necessary for districts to redo these policies to address the Internet access. However, it may be prudent for districts to provide recommendations to teachers on the material they select through the Internet for class reading. Teachers should select required or recommended material that is appropriate in light of the age of the students and that is the relevant to the course objectives. Teachers should, to the best of their ability, preview the materials and sites they require or recommend students access to determine the appropriateness of the material contained on or accessed through the site. Teachers should provide guidelines and lists of resources to assist their students in channeling their research activities effectively and properly when they are accessing the Internet independently.