As students return to biology classes, many feel anxiety over being forced to dissect animals. If this is an issue for your child, we suggest the following:

1. See if your state protects your right to choose alternatives.

2. After finding out about their rights to opt-out of dissections, have your student talk with their teacher about the curriculum during the first few weeks of school. Have them ask the teacher about any planned dissection labs and if they will use animals and/or offer alternatives.

3. If they do want to opt-out, now is the best time to let teachers know that they will be choosing dissection alternatives so the teacher will have the opportunity to plan accordingly.