Background and Context
These criminal justice resources will help students develop a thorough understanding and make connections between historical events, current conversations, and current policy proposals surrounding the issue. This section includes all of the context and content previously included in Close Up’s public policy chapters.
Available for Middle & High School
Current Issue Debates
Current Issue Debates in criminal justice are framed by a central question and followed by historical context, an overview of both sides of the topic, and discussion questions to facilitate deliberation in the classroom.
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Videos from Policy Makers
Brought to you by ASP HOMEROOM, through a collaboration between Close Up Foundation and A Starting Point, these supplemental videos are an introduction to policy areas that provide an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives directly from lawmakers.
Congressmen Burgess Owens (R-UT) & Bobby Scott (D-VA)
February 24, 2021
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) & former Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA)
February 26, 2021
Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) & Pete Stauber (R-MN)
February 15, 2021
These ready-to-use criminal justice lesson plans can be utilized in conjunction with any of our resources to enhance the quality of student discourse in the classroom. Our supplemental Civic Readiness Guide provides a recommended lesson plan sequence for using our Current Issues resources.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 20, 2021
Words of Ages Teacher’s Guide are designed to supplement your standard classroom history text while offering new, creative perspectives on the nation’s heritage.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 20, 2021
Words of Ages Teacher’s Guide are designed to supplement your standard classroom history text while offering new, creative perspectives on the nation’s heritage.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
Captain John Smith and the English settlers who followed did not shed their attachments to Great Britain when they landed on North American shores.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
Between the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the United States began to forge a national identity.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
The ideas behind the American Revolution—like many of the colonial era—trace back to Europe.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
After the War of 1812, Americans gained confidence and pride in their nation as a spirit of unity and nationalism strengthened the union.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
From the 1830s to the 1860s, the economic, political, and cultural chasms between the North and South deepened.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
By the middle of the 19th century, the nation had developed two distinct economies and identities.