National Issues Forums in the Classroom are deliberative discussions on public policy issues. The forums challenge students to consider controversial issues in order to weigh their self-interest against the larger public interest. The goal is for students to find common ground for action on the issues that deeply concern them.

Booklets are available for teachers to select issues for classroom forums. These booklets are nonpartisan examinations of important issues, and each booklet presents several public policy solutions to the issues addressed. In the forums, students are encouraged to consider the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing their preferred policy.

Forums focus on issues such as health care, immigration, Social Security, and racial tension.  Some National Issues Forums booklets are printed in Spanish.

Teachers can be trained to moderate neutral forums on the issues they select.

National Issues Forums focuses on deliberation skills and promotes tolerance and broad-mindedness. It seamlessly fits into the curriculum, enabling teachers from outside the social studies to to enhance students' civic knowledge and skills.

-CMS Review