Board of Education - The School District of Philadelphia Click on your Web Browser's Back Button to go back to the previous page 119. The center of the democratic process is found in the exercise of intelligence in the solution of problems.
Citizens identify and define problems, examine data, offer solutions, and make decisions.
The free exchange of facts and opinions is essential for the survival of our nation. Definition Controversial issues are important policies or proposals on which conflicting views are held by large numbers of people in schools, community and nation. The American heritage of civil rights and our established traditions of respect for the individual are not controversial. Most of the curriculum is composed of established truths and accepted values but it also includes many controversial issues which are appropriately studied to the degree that student maturity and available resources permit. Through the study of such issues, students develop decision making skills necessary for citizenship in our democracy.