Asserts that raising gender issues in freshman composition courses encourages critical thinking about relevant concerns in students' lives. States also that it is important to let students find the answers to the questions raised. (PRA)

Presents four responses from practicing teachers and four responses from high school students to the question, "What principles do you apply in selecting, discussing, and recommending contemporary literature that has sexually explicit language or subject matter?" (HB)

Examines the issue of using dissection as a class activity in the science curriculum. Discusses the pros and cons, including the legal aspects of the issue. Suggest guidelines for educators regarding this issue. (HB)

"Teaching for Social Justice," by Ayers, Hunt, and Quinn, advocates inclusion of social-justice concerns as part of schools' official curriculum. Although the authors do not move some issues far enough, the book can serve as a primer for teachers concerned about social justice and democratic values. (MLH)

Advocates the use of academic controversies (student research and classroom debate on an issue with clearly defined positions). Identifies three ways that this educates students about civil justice: (1) students learn citizenship skills; (2) provides a procedure for resolving civil justice problems; and (3) increases academic learning. (MJP)

Articulates parameters for a democratic philosophy of sexual education. Aims to accommodate ideological pluralism related to sexuality while simultaneously ensuring the provision of the necessary information and skills to facilitate sexual health. Proposes that sexuality education ought to be centered on the democratic consensus on the right to…

Explores the extent of self-censorship in community college theater programs across the country, and examines what part the college administration plays in such censorship. Suggests reviewing further the theater department's responsibilities in serving both students and community. (AS)

Reviews litigation and legislation regarding religious influences in public education in the areas of student-led prayer, silent prayer, religious displays, holiday observances, religious exemptions, and challenges to the curriculum. (SK)

Explores two ways of critically examining scientific knowledge in the context of a current socioscientific dispute: the unsterilized spacecraft in NASA's Galileo Mission to Jupiter. (PR)

Public opinion poll data dating from 1973 suggest a trustworthy and honest professoriate engaged in important work through college teaching, research, and service, but the same surveys show hesitation in granting full academic freedom to teachers holding controversial ideas. The impact of events, such as publication of critical reports, on college…

Presents a letter written in response to a videotape presented to a teacher by a student; the videotape denounced evolution on religious grounds. The letter explains some of the biases of the video to the class and the importance of learning about an issue before taking a stand against it. (PVD)

As a teacher educator committed to raising issues of racial, economic, and gender equality and those related to an appreciation for diversity, the author finds poetry to be a powerful resource in social studies methods classes. When preparing preservice teachers for elementary and middle school levels, she finds that poetry can often capture their…

The question of whether "intelligent design" amounts to legitimate science, pseudo-science, or religion masquerading as science has underwent a potentially historic legal test, as a federal court in Pennsylvania considered whether a public school district can require that students be exposed to the controversial concept. Eleven parents…

School leaders who have advocated for controversial programs know the pitfalls. Among the most frustrating are individuals and groups who resist any change at all, those who are supportive but remain silent, and those (opponents and allies alike) who are so passionate in their position they seem unable to hear the views of others. Each group…

Although most focus group theorists consider interaction to be a defining feature of focus groups, the influence that occurs through this interaction has been under-theorized. We argue that two important forms of influence may occur: influence on people's beliefs about the substantive issues under discussion and influence on self-efficacy beliefs.…