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Current Issues

Ready-to-use nonpartisan resources and lesson plans to help teachers facilitate meaningful discussions with students about current issues.

A Comprehensive Approach to Teaching Current Issues

Close Up’s supplemental resources are designed to provide middle and high school students with multiple perspectives on debatable current events.

  • School-Wide Use: Access to structured discussions, debates, and deliberations focusing on a central question for all classrooms.
  • Frequent Updates: Issues resources are updated regularly throughout the school year to reflect current policy.
  • Background Information: Each topic includes primary sources from decision-makers and experts across the political spectrum to help students understand issue context and history.
  • Lesson Plans: Various activities and structured guides are provided to help facilitate meaningful classroom conversations.

To help teachers better promote thoughtful discourse and facilitate productive classroom deliberations using our Current Issues resources, please check out our Professional Development trainings available for individuals, schools, or districts.

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Civil Rights & Individual Liberties

Civil Rights & Individual Liberties

 The Right to Protest
Title IX & Transgender Students
Red Flag Gun Laws

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

 Police Reform
Racial Profiling
Death Penalty

Economic Issues

Economic Issues

 Homelessness
Minimum Wage
Wealth Tax

Education

Education

 Affirmative Action
College Affordability
Educational Equity

Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

 Climate Change
Methane Emissions
Environmental Justice

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

 Role of the U.S. in the World
Iran Nuclear Deal
Cuba Trade Embargo

Government & Elections

Government & Elections

 Electoral College
Campaign Finance Reform
Voter ID Laws

Health Care

Health Care

 Medicare for All
School Vaccination Requirements
COVID-19 Pandemic

Immigration

Immigration

 Birthright Citizenship
DACA
Sanctuary Cities

 

 

 

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