Recent research published in Education Next reveals that most U.S. high school students feel their teachers engage in discussions about controversial topics, including race and politics. The study, based on a survey of 850 students, found that over half reported hearing phrases like “Black lives matter” and “white privilege” in class. While 36% of students noted that teachers often claim “America is a fundamentally racist nation,” 56% also said teachers argue that the U.S. has made significant progress toward racial equality. Gary Ritter, dean of Saint Louis University’s School of Education, stated, “The results paint a nuanced portrait of American classrooms,” indicating no clear bias in classroom discussions. The findings suggest that while teachers address contentious issues, students feel comfortable sharing differing opinions, with 75% stating they rarely feel uncomfortable doing so.
Leave a Reply