For more information, please contact us at classroom@closeup.org or 703-706-3410.
Designed to help students develop a greater understanding of current events.
Twice a month, we publish a new Controversial Issues in the News resource, highlighting policy issues featured in the news. Issues are framed by a central question, historical context, an overview of both sides of the topic, and discussion questions. This allows students to move quickly from reading to discussing and debating the issue.
What kinds of topics does this library explore?
View a sample of our 2019-20 topics.
Engage with Controversial Issues – Election 2020
Building on the Controversial Issues in the News resources, Close Up’s Student Voices: Election 2020 virtual program allows students to meet, interact, and deliberate with a diverse group of peers from other parts of the country. This program explores three major election issues:
Health Care and COVID-19: How can the government best address the COVID-19 pandemic? Which health care reforms, if any, are needed?
The Economy: Which government policies would most effectively put Americans back to work and get the economy back on track?
Criminal Justice: How should the government address issues related to criminal justice in this country?
What are the additional resources included for teachers?
For more information, please contact us at classroom@closeup.org or 703-706-3410.
Develop a greater understanding of current policy issues with two new discussions each month.
Learn More >Explore multiple sides of broad policy areas and how they connect to longstanding tensions in our democracy.
Learn More >Connect historical events to current controversial issues through primary sources, video, virtual reality, and more.
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