The appropriate and humane use of
animals in Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms can enhance
the learning experiences of students by providing unique positive interactions
between students and animals. Future scientists, interested students, and science
teachers can all benefit academically from the responsible use of animals while
learning respect for all living things. In
recent years animal rights organizations have attempted to persuade students and
their parents that the use of animals in classrooms, particularly dissection
exercises, should end. They argue that real
animals should not be used because there are viable educational alternatives
that provide the same level of learning. However, organizations best qualified
to determine the role animals should play in students scientific education do
not support legislation that would end the use of animals in classrooms, namely
the National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA), the National Association of
Biology Teachers (NABT), and other organizations.
Presently,
16 states restrict the use of animals in some classroom settings or have
dissection choice laws or policies in place: California, Florida, Illinois,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
Mebers Only State Laws Book
NABR tracks state education laws restricting the use of animals in classrooms and indexes them in a searchable and user-friendly database. The NABR State Laws Book includes proposed legislation as well as existing state statutes. Links to the text of the proposed legislation and statutes are provided where available. Current Education Laws |