This course will explore current and relevant educational issues that possess interconnections with politics, history, ideology, curriculum, and social practice. The primary focus of the course will be on examining the major opposing viewpoints on the issues in American schools of today and to gain basic understanding of legal issues in education. Through the integration of knowledge, the course prepares educators to critically examine various schools of philosophical thought, legal issues, and political issues, analyze existing programs to improve school effectiveness, and review research-based best practices for effective educational outcomes.