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.

The challenges that existed when Social Education's last issue on academic freedom was published still remain, and the need to support access to information in our schools is as great as ever.

In times of social stress, academic freedom is often forsaken. Yet it is precisely in such times that social educators and teachers must stand up for this essential element of a democratic society.

Students will gain a deeper understanding of legislative tactics like the filibuster when they study the featured document—the Senate motion that broke a 55-day filibuster against the Civil Rights Act.