Issues & Controversies

Building Civic Literacy Skills: How to Guide Students Through Today’s Toughest Debates

This year carries unusual weight for anyone thinking about civic education. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, arriving in the same year as the midterm elections, when all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 39 governorships go before voters. A quarter-millennium of self-government and a fresh round of decisions about […]

Welcome to the Stack — May Edition

Welcome to The Stack—a monthly program that gives librarians and teachers a curated set of ready-to-use resources that turn “I’m done” and “I’m bored” into an hour they didn’t see coming. Each month’s stack includes: A quest printable that sparks a new research adventure A visual literacy printable that prompts closer, deeper thinking A monthly […]

Welcome to the Stack — April Edition

Teaching News Literacy to Learners in a Misinformation Age

For decades, librarians have been at the forefront of media and information literacy—guiding learners in source evaluation, research practices, and ethical information use. Today’s news ecosystem has only heightened both the need for that expertise and the range of educators who rely on it. In an era shaped by algorithmic feeds, AI-generated content, polarized commentary, […]

Iran Nuclear Program: A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

Israel and U.S. Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Program On June 12, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion. It carried out coordinated air strikes and drone attacks on dozens of targets in Iran. Since 1979, Iran’s regime has defined itself in opposition to the United States, Israel, and the West. The attacks hit Iranian nuclear sites, […]

Do Tariffs Benefit the Economy? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

On April 2, 2025, a day called “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs on imported goods. The tariffs covered goods from dozens of countries worldwide. He said the move would create U.S. jobs by restoring manufacturing. He argued free trade policies had hurt U.S. factories for decades. Trump also blamed unfair competition from […]

Was the Biden Presidency a Success? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden stepped down from office after becoming the first president in more than half a century to decline to seek reelection when eligible for another term. Depending on whom you talk to, Biden’s presidency was either one that reinstated America’s role on the world stage and successfully ushered through […]

Librarians, Fight Misinformation with Infobase

Like it or not, we live in an era where misinformation and disinformation are abundant, and a misinformed public cannot make responsible decisions. As such, information literacy, including news literacy and media literacy, has never been more crucial. The foundational critical-thinking skills that come with information literacy will benefit researchers of all ages, and the […]

Can Donald Trump Pardon Himself? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

When Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20, 2025, he will have the dubious distinction of becoming the first person convicted of a federal crime to hold the office of the presidency. As presidents have the power to pardon people convicted of federal crimes, Trump’s reelection raises the question of whether or […]

Should the U.S. Keep the Electoral College? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

Now that the election is over, Americans’ votes are in the hands of the Electoral College. Issues & Controversies’ article highlighting the discussions around that institution has just been updated to reflect the latest election results and statistics. Should the United States continue to use the Electoral College to elect the president? Here is a […]

Start Information Literacy Education in High School or Earlier

When should information literacy education start? While many colleges offer IL capstone courses, most experts agree it should begin in K–12. States like New Jersey, California, Delaware, and Texas now mandate information literacy instruction to teach students how to evaluate sources—from social media and news articles to textbooks. Infobase can help. Our Information Literacy Strategy […]

Plan Your Academic Year with the Issues & Controversies

Make back-to-school unit planning easier with Infobase. For resources to help teach critical-thinking skills, analytical writing, and civics and history for this year’s classes, turn to Issues & Controversies and Issues & Controversies in History. Perfect for in-class debates, writing assignments, and research, these two acclaimed, authoritative resources present both sides of contemporary issues and […]