So who missed the election as 'lesson'?

In one of the chili-pepper hottest elections of our time -- the 2004 race between George Bush and John Kerry -- almost half of all teenagers nationally said they hadn't discussed the issue at school, according to ABC News poll released shortly before that election.

It's enough to make Maria Montessori -- the Italian educator who coined the term, 'the teachable moment' -- turn over in her grave.

Local high school students who took part in our panel discussion on the election, and those who emailed, blogged or posted their thoughts on our message board about it, said teaching about the election was generally spotty at their schools as well. But those students who had teachers who were passionate about discussing the election caught fire about the candidates, issues and process.

So, teachers and students out there, tell us. Are you discussing the elections in class this fall? And if not, why on earth not?