Columnist C. Frederick Risinger shares his letter to the president on the risk posed to our democracy by the marginalization of social studies and citizenship education.

These recommended websites examine the Common Core Standards Initiative and focus on social studies and citizenship efforts and achievements.

Note: this statement has been revised and updated.

While there may be no definitive answers for navigating questions of school authority and teacher independence, the author outlines some useful guideposts.

As educators, we should examine limitations on teaching relevant controversial topics and use our academic freedoms to challenge those limits.

Many basic issues of student speech rights and limits have not yet been fully resolved, and more contemporary speech issues are emerging.

When they work together, teachers may gain rights de facto that they have not yet gained de jure.

There are actions teachers can take to strengthen their right to teach controversial issues.

Education programs must prepare future teachers with the knowledge and skills for exploring issues of free expression and free inquiry in the classroom.