Talking About Current and Contested Issues

As a collaboration with NDE and WCSD, we are proud to share an incredible project through the Street Law Organization. We are so proud to be the Nevada community Street Law chose to expand this project with.

From Street Law: “The project—Talking About Local Current and Contested Issues in Schools (TALCCS)—will support teachers through innovative instruction, high-quality professional development, and tailored curricula. Teachers will emerge with the skills, confidence, resources, and administrative support needed to prepare and guide their students through discussions of contested public issues—a step toward bridging divides in American society.

The Need: Bolstering Teachers and Creating Opportunities for Students

America has never been more divided, and that polarization spills over into classrooms as well. Teachers and administrators are fielding calls from concerned parents and managing increasing challenges with class discussions about current and contested issues.

Proven, research-backed strategies, like discussion and deliberation of current and contested issues, are valuable tools for helping to bridge divides. However, despite these researched benefits, few students receive frequent opportunities for high-quality, effective discussions of hot-button policy issues and current events.

Additionally, teachers report that, while they want to facilitate important student discussions and build understanding across differences, they need more professional development and administrative support to bring these types of experiences into their classrooms.

TALCCS will help fill an important need in education practice by equipping teachers and administrators to facilitate strategies that develop students’ abilities to skillfully discuss contested public issues and to create opportunities for students to practice this essential civic skill in the classroom and beyond.”