LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln Board of Education has updated its policy on handling controversial issues, saying that the purpose of having conversations on such topics is to develop critical thinkers.

The portion of the policy that says teachers will notify parents in advance so they can opt out of topics they find distasteful was essentially unaltered, except to specify that such notice be made with ample time to arrange alternative activities.

The amended policy also clarifies that teachers can continue with a conversation about a controversial topic without notifying parents if it spontaneously comes up during class discussion.

District critic Lee Todd says he wanted the policy to be altered to include all sex education topics.