Classroom conversations: a student perspective

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.