The General Assembly finds that Section 1 of Article I of the Constitution of this State recognizes the equality and rights of all persons. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly that students, teachers, administrators, and other school employees respect the dignity of others, acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and freedom of speech and association and that the public schools of this State employ teaching methods and procedures to further that intent. (2026-20, s. 2.)