On Teaching about Contemporary Issues

1986 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in San Antonio, Texas

Background This resolution grew from English teachers' concern that the growing interdependence of all of the world's peoples combined with the increasing complexity of world problems (nuclear weapons, terrorism, diseases, social dislocations, etc.) is producing anxiety and apathy in students—reactions which teachers have a responsibility to combat.  Be it therefore Resolution Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English identify and make available information about literature and classroom activities which provide students opportunities to read, write, talk, and think about living in the world and about the tradition of creativity which inspires and enables human beings to continue the struggle to create and maintain peace and life with dignity; and           that NCTE encourage curriculum developers and English teachers to include such literature and activities in their programs.