Teaching American History

MARCH 11, 2025

Teaching government at Hilliard Darby High School in Ohio (a suburb of Columbus), Amy Messick helps students understand how our constitutional system works. One former student who appreciates what he learned from Messick now serves on the school board for the district in which Messick teaches.

Government 96

Government Controversial Topics American History Civics 96

ED Surge

APRIL 26, 2024

Stark Division on LGBTQ+ Topics Researchers asked participants to decide on the appropriateness of potentially controversial topics like the discussion of sex ed, racism and LGBTQ+ issues at both the elementary and high school levels. A majority of all groups said it was appropriate for high school.)

Education 144

Education Controversial Topics Civics Elementary School 144

The Hechinger Report

JANUARY 25, 2021

The crowd cheered at the idea that people like them — mostly white, mostly male — were the true heroes of American history. Most Americans were appalled. High school social studies teachers and scholars of American history don’t deny that the nation’s story is full of mobs, civil unrest and violence.

Teaching 139

Teaching Civics American History Controversial Topics 139

The Hechinger Report

FEBRUARY 2, 2021

Samantha Palu, a high school government teacher in South Dakota, came to school on Jan. When she started at the school in August, she was told not to say anything “political” in class — a difficult mandate for an educator whose job it is to teach about politics. government and African American history in Hamilton, Ohio.

Controversial Topics 111

Controversial Topics Social Studies Government American History 111