The dramatic increase in hate-related bullying and culturally and/or racially offensive comments or symbols in the wake of the 2016 election came as a surprise for many educators across the United States. Research points to both an increase in frequency of hate related speech and controversy in schools, and teachers reporting a lack of training,…

A freshman student posts on her social media account remarks that reflect intolerance and bigotry. Fellow students and faculty are upset, and disciplinary action follows. Was the student's right to free speech ignored or were the rights of others to a welcoming and inclusive environment infringed upon? This case guides the reader through some of…

During the past several decades, off campus and on, much of the discourse on controversial issues has been personal, vicious, and divisive. On the national scene, politics has become permeated with incivility. It now appears that Americans have been naive about their ability and willingness to engage in civil discourse and compromise. How can…

Middle-level sports programs can be defined as intramural, interscholastic, or a combination of both. The trend toward middle-level interscholastic sports programs has been accompanied by recurring and sometimes controversial issues for principals. For example, which age groups and grade levels should be allowed to participate? Which sports should…

In recent years, immigration has become a hot-button issue--so much that mere mention of the word almost guarantees an impassioned response. Whether that response generates ideas and hope, debate and frustration, or even anger, depends on seemingly innumerable factors. Everything from personal preferences, politics, and prejudices to ethnic,…

Discusses four fundamental issues of the "creation-science" and evolution debate: the prevalence of creation myths, an assumed scientific world view, public schools as moral supremacy battlegrounds, and the general population's scientific and religious illiteracy. Calls for free inquiry into the nature of the world's religious traditions and…

Since the United Nations adopted the International Bill of Human Rights in 1948, the deprivation of human rights has been rampant and brutal. To help students understand human rights devaluation and protection issues, teachers in all curricular areas can use three primary elements: knowledge, values, and social participation. (11 references) (MLH)

In the last decade, human rights has become a highly visible isssue in United States foreign policy. Schools can't sidestep this controversy, since human rights concerns are an inextricable part of U.S. political heritage. Schools can use a number of teaching approaches to help students understand the complexities and contradictions involved. (2…

One article describes Boston (Massachusetts) City Schools' efforts to train school nurses and health and science teachers as AIDS educators while developing a factual program for students. Another article offers steps for implementing an effective AIDS curriculum. An inset provides information on practices and procedures used by certain school…

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction defused a potentially explosive situation involving the teaching of biological origins by involving members of the educational community in statewide committees that produced two documents focusing on the distinction between science and religion and providing technical assistance. (DCS)

Explores the teaching of the social foundations of education at Minnesota's private four-year colleges. Reports that, according to a faculty survey, most of the schools teach social foundations in an introductory, sophomore year course. Concludes that most of the courses focus on current educational issues and downplay educational history,…

Reviews the constraints on implementing an issue-centered approach to social studies education and argues that schools play an important role in socializing students into society. Concludes that advocates of new theories of social studies education must take into account the realities of contemporary school and society. (SLM)

This case addresses the events that unfolded after a high school teacher displayed a Confederate flag in the classroom as a visual aid to instruction on the causes and effects of the Civil War. Although the curriculum specifically required students to learn the meaning and use of symbols and provided for the use of the flag, and the principals…

Outlines a method for modifying the current social studies curriculum so it can be taught from an issue-centered approach. States that conventional courses in history and geography would be organized around the study of a select number of important issues and illustrates the way these classes would be taught using this approach. (SLM)

Many school districts in the South have been quietly teaching the Bible for years. A court case in Fort Myers, Florida, ended up splitting the community along religious and political lines. The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University has sponsored seminars on how to address religion in public school classrooms. (MLF)