Questions the value of including death education in compulsory high school courses. The topic impinges on personal religious beliefs and may create anxiety among teenagers if they are required to participate in field trips and attitude surveys. (AV)

One type of conflict is controversy (disagreement), which is discussed as a teaching technique that can be used in the classroom. Five possible procedures are suggested for introducing it to students. For journal availability, see SO 504 878. (ND)

A research study assessed the awareness of a group of fourth through sixth graders about current events, including busing, energy, inflation, and the Bicentennial. Awareness was found to differ significantly according to location of school and grade in school. Causes for the differences may include life style, curricular emphases, and teacher…

Forecasts no major surprises during the U.S. Supreme Court's 1987-88 term. Like the "Edwards v. Aguillard" ruling against Louisiana's creation science law, upcoming decisions concerning religious issues (controversial textbooks and moments of silence) and free speech (language use and controversial subject matter in student publications)…

Since no school district is immune to death, the concepts of death and dying, stress management, and suicide should be worked into the curriculum beginning in the fourth grade. Advice is given concerning planning for potential tragedy, responding to a student's or staff member's death, and establishing memorials. Two figures cite teenage suicide…

Demonstrates how the use of rock-era music images of political protest and social criticism can provide teachers with a forceful and entertaining introduction to the examination of controversial issues in U.S. society. Includes chronologically and thematically arranged lists of recordings which represent popular themes in U.S. music between…

Discusses the continuing controversy over evolution and creationism and the role that the courts have played. Examines the effects that result from this controversy, such as the overly cautious selection of textbooks by adoption committees and publishers' reluctance to include "questionable" materials in new books. (GEA)

Describes the City of York (Pennsylvania) School System's development of a K-12 AIDS curriculum using an advisory committee comprised of school administrators, teachers, noninstructional staff, health care professionals, and college students. The program gained wide community acceptance because of accurate, complete newspaper coverage and because…

In December 1986, the National Association of State Boards of Education's (NASBE) preliminary report on state-mandated AIDS instruction in the schools found only five mandated programs and 17 states with AIDS curricula. A December 1987 NASBE report examining seven broad indicators of institutional change to promote AIDS instruction disclosed much…

Discusses three main reasons why creationism should not be taught in state schools or colleges. These reasons are considered under the headings of religion, morality, and knowledge. (JN)

Discusses a strategy used to incorporate value-related issues into introductory chemistry. Indicates that the approach, necessarily limited to few topics each year, encourages students to reflect on the causes and effect of science-related social issues and to define their personal values. (JN)

Describes a recent court decision in which a school board and the superintendent did not support a teacher when he came under fire from the community for teaching a controversial subject. The teacher won his case against the district because it had violated the academic freedom rule and denied the teacher due process.(MD)

Outlines a course (offered jointly by physics and applied science departments) which focuses on basic physics and nuclear war effects. Due to the emotional impact of issues discussed in the course, faculty implemented a plan which included the use of counseling professionals. (DH)

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)

School personnel in California were surveyed about family life education efforts. Although such programs exist in many districts, less than one-fourth of the ninth and one-third of the tenth graders received instruction. Recommendations for implementing, improving, and evaluating family life education programs are offered. (Author/DF)