If we are to expand the degree to which the community supports academic freedom in the public schools, we must begin by providing students in our schools with an opportunity to explore the role of academic freedom in an open society. (Author)

The philosophy underlying a British project that helps teachers apply systematic inquiry to their own teaching is explained. An example of using the teacher-researcher approach to improve teaching in a humanities course is given. (PP)

Gives comments from teachers and students about a course, "Facing History and Ourselves: The Holocaust and Human Behavior." Adopted by approximately 300 schools, the course teaches students to think about how the roles and responses of individuals and groups during that period and in the nuclear age are applicable to their lives. (MLF)

Ten recent editions of secondary school-level United States history textbooks were analyzed to determine coverage and balance of the Vietnam War. Treatment of topics such as Vietnamese culture, the roles of wartime leaders, the aims of the United States government, the antiwar movement, and costs of the war are discussed. (PP)

Religions are unfalsifiable in the short run but open to long-term influence by science. Conversely, scientists sometimes extend their findings to mythic proportions. The struggle between evolutionary science and pseudo-scientific creationism rests on tensions resulting at this interface. Good education and social fairness require greater…

Effects of the request for equal time (to teach creationist viewpoint) on science curriculum/instruction and teacher credibility are discussed. Uses examples from earth science to illustrate possible effects of a recent creationist bill, Maryland House Bill 1078. (JN)

Teachers must respond to the threat of nuclear warfare with a deep and universal desire to secure life. Comprehensive concern for life as a whole must lie at the root of their work. Only a world-wide expression of the ethical imagination, which renders nuclear war wholly unacceptable, can save mankind. (PP)

Presents common arguments against sex education, responses to such arguments, and views regarding how sex education proponents should present their concerns. Some research data are offered regarding outcomes for students in sex education classes. (DB)

The creation/evolution controversy has gained renewed popularity in the last few years. This has resulted in serious implications for science teachers. All classroom teachers need to protect themselves by learning the distinctions between scientific law and theory and to acquire knowledge of the various theories of evolution. (JN)

Beginning in the late 1960s, the sexual revolution resulted in new lifestyles, drug cultures, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and a higher incidence of venereal disease. Many schools initiated sex education programs aimed at developing an understanding of interpersonal relationships, human development, and responsible personal behavior. (FG)

Describes how a teacher used Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's play "Inherit the Wind," dealing with the evolution versus creation controversy, as a medium for teaching censorship issues in a Nashville, Tennessee junior high school Language Arts and Literature class. (TB)

Argues that student classroom resistance to the analysis of social inequality and other controversial topics commonly involves their application of norm/other logic to course material. Provides lecture topics, in-class exercises, and homework assignments to assist teachers in helping their students overcome the limitations in norm/other logic.…

Contains the author's reflections on having been, in effect, censored, that is, told that her talk at a middle school had been cancelled because of controversial struggles at the school about other books. (TB)

Explores the controversial issue of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) discussing the Act and the scope of the extinction problem. Reviews the arguments for and against the ESA, addresses the tactics that have been used in the political struggle over the ESA, and highlights the future of the ESA. Includes teaching activities. (CMK)