Introduction: Current and Societal Issue Discussions in an Era of Polarization
 Last month, Governor Pritzker signed legislation requiring a semester of civics to be taught within 6,7 and 8th grades at the start of the 2020-21 school year. Public Act 101-0254 goes beyond defining what is taught in this course per the Illinois social science standards, but how civics is to be taught using direct instruction, discussion of current and societal issues, service learning, and simulations of democratic processes.
This past spring, IllinoisCivics.org and The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) surveyed teachers, administrators and instructional coaches throughout the state of Illinois to help us create a plan to support implementation for #CivicsInTheMiddle. One area of concern for educators that emerged was how to facilitate student discussions over essential questions facing our communities in this era of political polarization.
The survey highlighted that many teachers think this is critical for students in their classroom given the political climate “in an increasingly polarized society” as “...many of these topics affect our students directly and their lack of knowledge allows them to be easily persuaded to aside… Current events topics right now specifically endanger many of the students I currently work with.” However, some teachers expressed hesitation in engaging in this practice.” I do not feel that I can discuss controversial issues in my school district. I do not feel that I would be supported by the administration to have these conversations within the classroom.”
Beginning the work of engaging students in current and societal issue discussions can be daunting. Here are some things for educators and administrators to keep in mind as teachers begin to incorporate this proven practice of civic education into their classroom practice.
- Create a climate for conversation by engaging students in creating the norms for interaction. Facing History and Ourselves has a great “Back to School Toolkit” that can be used throughout the year for this purpose.
- Don’t debate, deliberate. These discussions do NOT have to take on an adversarial tone. It does not have to be a win-lose proposition. Heather Van Benthuysen and Erica Hodgin from the Educating for Democracy blog share ideas and resources about how to engage in dialogue that promotes understanding rather than division.
- Build “the muscles” before swimming into “deeper waters.” Before having students discuss issues that are more “emotionally charged”, start with topics that are less “personal” to help students practice the skills of dialogue. I teach in a school that is over 50% Latinx. I would NEVER discuss that topic of immigration early in the semester. That is a relevant topic that we need to build towards so that our “civility muscles” have been exercised and be clear that it is never okay to dehumanize others in a conversation because of who they are or their beliefs.
- Make sure the topics for current and societal issue discussions are aligned with your course outcomes. Make sure both you and the students are clear how the discussion relates to the Illinois social science standards and the essential questions of the course. Do not seek out controversy for the sake of controversy.
- Be clear on the goal of the discussion. Discussion can be used to build consensus, clarify understanding, promote understanding of complex issues, and build empathy for the lived experiences of others.
- Create a safe space in troubling times. When tragedy occurs, it is time to check in with students to see how they are feeling, listen to their concerns, and answer questions. It is NOT the time for deliberation. We should not be discussing gun control right after a school shooting. Students are emotionally charged--this is a time to listen and be present. It is not an opportunity to capitalize on a tragedy.
We will use the monthly Civics In The Middle newsletter and the weekly Illinois Civics Course Implementation blog to support educators in the use of current and societal issue discussions and other proven practices embedded in both the middle and high school civics mandates.
In the News: Classroom Resources to Understand Impeachment
 This past week, Twitter was abuzz with colleagues seeking out grade-level appropriate materials to help students understand the process of impeachment. The information around this current and controversial issue is changing daily with competing narratives from the left and the right. This teachable moment IS political, but it does not have to be partisan. Here are a few resources that you can start with.
- “A look at past impeachment proceedings” and how they’ve ended from PBS News Hour gives a historical perspective on impeachment.
- The lesson, “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” from the Constitutional Rights Foundation has both background information and a simulation of a House Judiciary Committee determining if an act rises to the level of impeachable.
- Statista.com has an infographic of "What Impeachment Would Look Like." Please note a slight correction you will have to make, it takes 50%+1 vote, not 51% vote.
- Khan Academy has an explainer video on Impeachment as does TedEd
- Annenberg Classroom has a historical timeline of past impeachments starting with Judge Samuel Chase.
- Episode 10 of the Civics 101 Podcast tackles some of the common questions surrounding impeachment.
- The American Bar Association Division for Public Education has an FAQ on Impeachment.
- National Public Radio has a short video, “What Does it Take to Impeach a President?”
- The Bill of Rights Institute has lessons that provide a historical perspective on the impeachment of presidents.
- AllSides has curated news items from all sides of the spectrum to understand current events surrounding impeachment.
- PBS News Hour Extra has a resource “Impeachment Inquiry: Ways to Discuss with Your Students.”
Professional Development Opportunities
 Listed below are some upcoming workshops that address the proven and complementary practices of civic education. For a complete list and up to date offerings, keep an eye on our Professional Development Calendar for new opportunities to enhance your classroom practice.
OCTOBER 2019
Education Week Wants YOU to Share Your Innovative Civics Ideas!
 Do you or your students have a good idea for teaching civics or encouraging K-12 students to develop civic behaviors and attitudes? Education Week, as part of its ongoing Citizen Z initiative, is looking to gather 100 good ideas for teaching civics. Send your tips, quick lessons, after-school activities, and community projects to CivicsIdeas@epe.org. See below for specific guidelines.
For teachers: Do you have a good idea for teaching civics or encouraging K-12 students to develop civic behaviors and attitudes? Please send your good ideas to CivicsIdeas@epe.org.
Here are the questions your description needs to address:
- What’s your good idea? (Please make sure this description takes no more than a minute to explain.)
- What’s your connection to education? (For example, are you a teacher, administrator, after-school educator?)
- Why do you think this idea was successful?
- Where are you from?
For students: What was the best civics lesson you ever had—inside or outside of school? Here are the questions your description needs to address:
- What was your best lesson? (Please make sure this description takes no more than a minute to explain.)
- Why do you think this experience made an impact on you? What made it different from a “typical” lesson?
- Where did you experience this lesson?
- Where are you a student? And what grade are you in?
Civics in the Middle Resources for Current and Societal Issue Discussions
 In an article for the November/December 2018 edition of Social Education, “Teaching Controversial Issues in a Time of Polarization”, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg and Rey Junco from CIRCLE highlight how “teachers should assign and facilitate discussion and deliberation of local or national issues or policies. They should also teach students about the process of deliberation. Lastly, and most importantly, teachers should seek opportunities for training/professional development in a controversial-issue discussion.”
How can educators help students build the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for productive dialogue that can promote understanding and bridge the divide? There are several resources teachers can use to “get the conversation started” in their classroom.
- The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education by Hess and McAvoy share what best practice looks like in a “political classroom“ where students deliberate the essential question, “How should we live together?”
- Facing History and Ourselves has several protocols to establish norms of civil discourse. One of my favorites is classroom contracting.
- Social Studies Chat (#sschat) has several archived discussions where teachers and social studies organizations have shared resources and best practices related to current and controversial issues discussions.
- Project Implicit by Harvard University has an online assessment that students and educators can take to understand their own social attitudes and biases that lead to polarization and misunderstanding.
- Mismatch powered by AllSides connects students across the country in live video conversations to promote understanding across differences.
- Generation Global connects students from across the world in dialogue through facilitated videoconferences and team blogging. Conversations are supported by engaging curriculum anchored in essential questions.
- Do you need text-based resources to ground discussions? We have some ideas!
 At IllinoisCivics.org, we endeavor to link educators with resources that address essential questions with proven strategies and tools to prepare students for college, career, and civic life. This monthly newsletter provides civic educators with timely professional development opportunities, classroom resources, and inspiration with #CivicsIsBack success stories. For weekly updates on emerging research on civics, “teachable moments” and related materials, follow our blog.
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