Below is a
sampling of websites related to teaching controversial topics and exploring
strategies for dealing with concerns raised by parents, administrators,
students, or colleagues.
To view The Boulder Valley
Schools' policy statements regarding the teaching of controversial issues, go
to:
http://www.bvsd.k12.co.us/sb/policies/INB.htm.
A website providing
methods of encouraging open discussion of controversial topics:
http://teachers.net/gazette/AUG02/eric.html.
To view a proposal,
complete with lesson plans, on ways to encourage open discussion of
controversial topics go to:
http://www.unm.edu/~abqteach/justice/02-04-09.htm.
Points to Ponder When Planning to Discuss Controversial
Material:
-
Are
high-quality instructional resources available on this topic?
-
Is there a clear connection between
the issue and the larger curriculum goal?
-
Have you informed
parents about issues that may be controversial, by sending a note home for
example?
-
Do you know you
legal rights?