Controversial subjects are routine in today's classroom debates

On Board Online • May 29, 2017

By Stephanie Gouss
Special Correspondent

Your school district's mission statement probably includes something about preparing students to be conscientious citizens of the world. Toward that goal, teachers of social studies, science and English routinely ask students to discuss important - but controversial - topics.

Walk into a social studies classroom, and you might hear talk about immigration policy, health care, taxation, or the behavior of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un.

English classes can be magnets for other controversial topics far beyond whether Jane Eyre was a feminist. "The Iraq War, racism, the Second Amendment, abortion and capital punishment are all topics that students have dived into on their own volition when working on English research projects," said Pat Krizan, an educational consultant and former supervisor of instructional services at Rockland County BOCES.

She noted that the English Regents exam now requires students to write an argumentative essay based on a prompt and drawn from four provided articles. They must take a position on an issue and address counterclaims.

Science class also has its share of hot issues, such as climate change, stem cell research and, of course, evolution. Health classes talk about smoking, drinking, drugs and sexuality.

Commissioner, Fox & Friends weigh in

While some teachers tackle these tough subjects with nary a complaint, others recently have found themselves being scrutinized over assignments, statements made in class and even classroom decorations:

• Students in a New Visions class near Syracuse were assigned to write a paper from the perspective of a Nazi general. Some students and parents complained, and even Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia publicly weighed in. Other students said the assignment was about perspective, not about condoning the Holocaust.
• While studying fascism during World War II, Saratoga Springs students were shown current political cartoons depicting President Trump as Hitler and Mussolini. A group of parents who have a Facebook page called "Saratoga Conservative Chicks" appeared on the national Fox & Friends television show on March 22 to criticize the lesson; they said the teacher was imposing personal views and being disrespectful of the president. The women subsequently met with school board members and administrators. "We would like to publicly thank the school district for taking the time to meet with us and address political bias in the classroom," they said on their Facebook page.
• In the lower Hudson Valley, a substitute teacher told students that women do not belong in the Armed Forces. That struck Warwick Valley High School junior Dorothy Finney as unprofessional and inappropriate for discussion, particularly in an art class. She authored an op-ed piece in the school paper entitled "Teachers, keep your views out of it. "
• In New York City, a high school teacher hung posters reading "Everyone is Welcome" in her classroom, hoping to calm the fears of immigrant students by reminding them that school is a safe environment. While the posters did not strike her as having a politically partisan statement, some colleagues felt differently. The posters were removed.

Krizan says teachers have an obligation to maintain a respectful environment where all student voices can be heard, which may mean teaching civil discourse and establishing protocols for discussion.

"Sometimes it can be hard to avoid uncomfortable details about current events or stay away from the lurid details of wars throughout history," according to an article entitled "Engaging in Appropriate Conversations" on the website of the National Education Association. "However, it's important to keep the classroom a safe haven for your students, as well as build and keep their trust and respect, both in and out of the classroom."

School board policies

Since the early 2000s, some school boards across the state have implemented policies aimed at assisting staff in dealing with controversial issues.

For instance, two separate policies adopted by the Williamsville Central School District in 2009 indicate that teachers may not use their classrooms or surroundings as a means to promote personal political views or beliefs. A separate policy states that "teachers are encouraged to address issues of current events for instruction and informational value to students, to invite public or political figures to visit the classroom as a community resource and to motivate students in the political process."

Some districts have a board policy called "Teaching About Controversial Issues" that states topics should be handled in the normal course of instruction and not introduced for their own sake. A policy adopted by the Nyack Public School District in 2000 states that teachers should seek approval of the building principal before inviting political figures into classrooms and that there should be care taken to balance major views.

Hudson Valley P-TECH Principal Natasha Shea told On Board that teachers, as professionals, must decide what is an appropriate topic to discuss with a given classroom of students. "Teachers are faced with making on the spot judgement calls in the classroom and have to balance perspectives with professionalism," she said. "We want kids to be knowledgeable about varying perspectives and at the same time understand the types and validity of the resources to back up their arguments."

Finney, the Warwick student, told On Board that controversial topics come up all the time in her journalism and social studies classes, but that she thinks teachers do a good job of being objective. "We're given a chance to express ourselves and offer our opinions. After all, we want to be involved. We want to help shape the world."

"We have a responsibility to prepare and encourage students to be thoughtful participants in democracy," said Warwick Valley Superintendent David Leach. "While this charge includes imparting foundational knowledge about the three branches of government, it's equally important that we seek to intellectually engage students in thought provoking discussions about government, economics, conflict, immigration and social change . Civics-related events from history, in the news or in our own communities, serve as important teachable moments for students and shouldn't be ignored."