Discussing Controversial Issues:
Criteria for Selecting Issues
Selecting a good issue for classroom discussion is an important step in the teaching process. Several criteria should be considered as you select issues:

• The issue reflects a clear conflict between competing values (such as equality and liberty, or security and freedom).
• The issue is age-appropriate for your students.
• High-quality, age-appropriate materials about the issue are available.
• Examining the issue helps you meet important goals of your curriculum.
• Students are interested in the issue.


The question of student interest is a complex one. When students are just beginning to learn discussion skills, an issue that is too “hot” may inflame their passions to the point where they are unable to use their new skills. Thus, issues selected for initial discussions need to be interesting—but not too inflammatory.

Some teachers like to involve students in selecting the issue to be discussed. Diana Hess, one of the leading experts on classroom discussion of controversial issues, points out that students are not monolithic in their preferences and letting students select the issue can produce an issue not closely linked to your curricular goals and for which only some students are bought-in. Thus, giving students a controlled choice may be the best option. Controlled choice means that students can select the issue from several that you have crafted to meet your instructional purposes.

To practice applying the above criteria, think about a class in which you would like to use public issues discussion. Which of the following issues would meet the criteria for that class?

• Gay marriage
• Ban on assault weapons
• Juvenile death penalty
• Free trade agreements
• School dress codes
• Using torture as a tool in the war on terrorism

Think of an issue that you think would meet all of the criteria listed above.