Controversial Issues: Concerns for Policy Makers. ERIC Digest No. 14.

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Title: Controversial Issues: Concerns for Policy Makers. ERIC Digest No. 14.
Language: English
Authors: Cook, Kay K., ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, Boulder, CO.
Availability: ERIC/ChESS, 855 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 4
Publication Date: 1984
Sponsoring Agency: National Inst. of Education (ED), Washington, DC.
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Guides - Classroom - Teacher
ERIC Publications
ERIC Digests in Full Text
Descriptors: Controversial Issues (Course Content), Court Litigation, Curriculum, Curriculum Development, Decision Making Skills, Definitions, Educational Needs, Educational Objectives, Educational Planning, Educational Policy, Educational Research, Elementary Secondary Education, Literature, Problem Solving, Science Instruction, Social Studies, State Courts, Student Motivation, Teacher Education
Abstract: Intended for educational policy makers, this publication considers the teaching of controversial topics. Specifically discussed are what issues are considered controversial, why controversial topics should be taught, court decisions, ways educators can prepare for community response or complaints, and questions to address when making curriculum decisions. Generally speaking, an issue that tends to create polarized viewpoints many be considered controversial, e.g., sex, nuclear warfare, and religion/science conflicts. Curricular areas most likely to create controversy are literature, social studies, and science. The discussion of controversial issues in K-12 classrooms counteracts student apathy and allows students to learn and apply decision making and problem solving skills. The Supreme Court and lower courts tend to uphold the rights of teachers and students to engage in controversial topics. Major court decisions are briefly described. Schools should have official policies concerning the teaching of controversial issues, and teacher training should be provided. When developing curricula, decision makers should consider questions such as: (1) What inculcates creative, critical thought in children? and (2) Who determines public school standards? (RM)
Entry Date: 1985
Accession Number: ED253465
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Controversial Issues: Concerns for Policy Makers. ERIC Digest No. 14.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cook%2C+Kay+K%2E%22">Cook, Kay K.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22ERIC+Clearinghouse+for+Social+Studies%2FSocial+Science+Education%2C+Boulder%2C+CO%2E%22">ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, Boulder, CO.</searchLink>
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  Data: ERIC/ChESS, 855 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302.
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  Data: N
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  Data: 4
– Name: DatePubCY
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  Data: 1984
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  Data: National Inst. of Education (ED), Washington, DC.
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  Data: Policymakers
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  Data: Guides - Classroom - Teacher<br />ERIC Publications<br />ERIC Digests in Full Text
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Controversial+Issues+%28Course+Content%29%22">Controversial Issues (Course Content)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Court+Litigation%22">Court Litigation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum%22">Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+Making+Skills%22">Decision Making Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Needs%22">Educational Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Objectives%22">Educational Objectives</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Planning%22">Educational Planning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Literature%22">Literature</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Instruction%22">Science Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Studies%22">Social Studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Courts%22">State Courts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Education%22">Teacher Education</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Intended for educational policy makers, this publication considers the teaching of controversial topics. Specifically discussed are what issues are considered controversial, why controversial topics should be taught, court decisions, ways educators can prepare for community response or complaints, and questions to address when making curriculum decisions. Generally speaking, an issue that tends to create polarized viewpoints many be considered controversial, e.g., sex, nuclear warfare, and religion/science conflicts. Curricular areas most likely to create controversy are literature, social studies, and science. The discussion of controversial issues in K-12 classrooms counteracts student apathy and allows students to learn and apply decision making and problem solving skills. The Supreme Court and lower courts tend to uphold the rights of teachers and students to engage in controversial topics. Major court decisions are briefly described. Schools should have official policies concerning the teaching of controversial issues, and teacher training should be provided. When developing curricula, decision makers should consider questions such as: (1) What inculcates creative, critical thought in children? and (2) Who determines public school standards? (RM)
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 1985
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: ED253465
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  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 4
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Controversial Issues (Course Content)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Court Litigation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision Making Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Definitions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Needs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Objectives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Planning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Literature
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Studies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Courts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Education
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Controversial Issues: Concerns for Policy Makers. ERIC Digest No. 14.
        Type: main
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            NameFull: ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, Boulder, CO.
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              M: 06
              Type: published
              Y: 1984
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