Many future voters can start understanding and developing their civic identities in middle and high school. Cal State Fullerton educator William Toledo prepares future teachers to guide civil yet possibly controversial conversations about politics and other public concerns with their middle and high school students.
“Our country is at a point where we are divided, and young students are exposed to misinformation and disinformation perpetuated on social media,” Toledo said.
Toledo, assistant professor of secondary education, teaches credential students skills to help foster civic discourse — a way to discuss relevant public concerns with peers or community members with differing opinions or beliefs — in the classroom.
Toledo said teaching middle and high school students to identify biases, agendas and inaccuracies in media or political discourse fosters critical thinking and empowers them to participate in civic life more responsibly.
“It is essential to equip young students with civic thinking skills and frameworks so that as they exit high school, their voices can be heard in ways that are effective to creating change in our system,” he said.
Toledo’s education research focuses on credential students analyzing their biases, discussing public concerns in civil and respectful ways, and applying strategies and techniques to bridge divides.