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)

Explores psychological reasons why educators and parents resist dealing with the issue of nuclear war. Describing individual resistance (avoidance) and collective resistance (commitment to a nation's economic and political assumptions), the author discusses implications for nuclear education. (SK)

Options for the health educator who has decided to present information about the development and risk of nuclear arms are discussed. Educational resources on the subject and points where the topic might be brought up in class are noted. (PP)

Communities, schools, and individual teachers differ widely in their understanding of whether the classroom should be a place for helping children make sense of tough topics. In this "Occasional Paper," four educators describe their approaches to tough topics in the classroom--gender, sexual identity, death, and diversity. Despite differing…

From a political standpoint, the battle over sexuality education is not simply a dispute over the most effective means to promote the sexual and reproductive health of youth; but rather, a clash over the shape and direction of society itself. (McKay, 1999). This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings of the debate over the content and scope…

This thesis focuses on the espoused beliefs, values, and attitudes of experienced A-Level Biology teachers in relation to the teaching of controversial biological issues. Of major interest is the thinking behind what the teachers in this study regard as the possibilities and problems for the teaching of controversial issues given the teaching…

The assessed social studies project is designed to teach high school students of average ability to clarify and justify their positions on public issues''; training students to examine and analyze controversial issues through discussion and argument. (Author/SM)

Social studies materials for secondary grades containing case studies of social problems which require critical thinking skills are assessed and described. (SM)

Despite differing opinions on discussing nuclear policy in the curriculum and how students are best prepared for citizenship, educators can work together to assert the right of United States citizens to have access to information necessary to participate in the policymaking process. (MLF)

Educators and students, discussing the future of nuclear age education at a symposium, generally agreed that knowledge and values are separated in society. Sources of information and of the proceedings are listed along with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's (ASCD) resolution on nuclear freeze. (MLF)

Presents a philosophical analysis of the creation/evolution conflict in which a deliberate attempt is made to highlight its wider curricular dimension. Argues that literature on the conflict focuses primarily on questions concerning nature of science and avoids discussing of equally pressing curricular/instructional issues, particularly…

Discusses the teaching of world hunger in the classroom. Controversial questions and map skills for students are discussed as well as activities for home economics and science classes. A list of resource materials is included. (AM)