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Overview

Diana Hess is Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and one of the most influential scholars in civic education. Her research focuses on how teachers engage students in discussions of controversial political and constitutional issues. She has shown that well-facilitated discussions of controversial issues improve students' critical thinking, political knowledge, and willingness to engage across differences. Hess co-authored The Political Classroom with Paula McAvoy, which won the Grawemeyer Award in Education in 2017. Her earlier book, Controversy in the Classroom: The Democratic Power of Discussion, remains a foundational text in civic education. She argues that schools have a democratic obligation to teach young people how to deliberate about issues that divide society — and that avoiding controversy in the classroom undermines democracy itself.

“I don't think we can have high quality civic education without current events and controversial issues.”
Diana Hess

Key Contributions

The Political Classroom

Co-authored with Paula McAvoy, this award-winning book demonstrates that students who engage in discussions of controversial political issues develop stronger critical thinking and political knowledge.\nControversy in the Classroom: Her foundational book arguing that democratic education requires engaging students with issues that divide society — and showing teachers how to do it well.\nThe Democratic Power of Discussion: Hess has shown that well-facilitated discussion improves students willingness to engage across political differences and reduces partisan hostility.\nBalanced vs. Partisan Teaching: Her research demonstrates that teachers can teach about controversial issues without indoctrinating students — and that avoiding controversy is itself a political choice.\nPolarization Research: Hess is currently leading national research on how political polarization affects schools, teachers, and students civic learning opportunities.

Avoiding controversy is not neutral

When teachers avoid controversial issues, they are making a political choice that leaves students unprepared for democratic citizenship.\nDiscussion over debate: Hess advocates for discussion (seeking understanding) over debate (winning an argument) as the appropriate model for classroom political engagement.\nDisclosure matters: She argues that teachers should be thoughtful about when and how to disclose their own political views — neither hiding them nor imposing them on students.

Impact on Civic Education

Diana Hess has fundamentally changed how educators think about the role of controversy in the classroom. Her work has influenced teacher education programs, school district policies, and civic education initiatives across the United States. The Grawemeyer Award — one of the most prestigious awards in education — recognized her work as having practical impact on improving education worldwide. In an era of increasing political polarization, her research on how to productively engage with disagreement has never been more urgent.

Key Works

“Hess, D. (2009). Controversy in the Classroom: The Democratic Power of Discussion. Routledge.\nHess, D. & McAvoy, P. (2014). The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education. Routledge.\nHess, D. (2004). Controversies about Controversial Issues in Democratic Education. Democracy & Education.”

Diana Hess: Controversy in the Classroom

Overview

Key Contributions

The Political Classroom

Avoiding controversy is not neutral

Impact on Civic Education

Key Works

Democracy & Education Journal

"Spotting Power: Reframing Media Literacy in Civic Education"

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