Activity: How the debate on teaching U.S. history including racism is impacting students

Daily News Lesson

Feb. 16, 2022, 10:25 p.m.

Activity: How the debate on teaching U.S. history including racism is impacting students

Summary

Black History Month has been celebrated in some form for nearly a century. But this year it comes as students are getting caught up in political scrutiny and alongside a coordinated effort to limit the teaching of race and racism.

Five Facts

What is "critical race theory" (CRT) according to this piece, and where is it taught?

Why have parents and some officials pushed to ban teaching some concepts on race and society in classrooms?

How many states have had legislation suggested or introduced to ban teaching of some concepts related to race and society?

Who is interviewed in this piece, and what are their backgrounds?

Why do the students interviewed in this piece say the push to change what is taught in schools is heading in the wrong direction?

Focus Questions

Imagine you were interviewed for this piece. How would you address the same topics that are taken up by the students here? Media literacy: Why do you think the producers chose to interview students and administrators for this story? Who else would you like to hear from and why? Activity : Has your state legislature proposed or passed bills to ban the teaching of "divisive concepts" including CRT, race or racism?

Use this legislative bill tracker from OpenStates.org to find out. Then type in key terms like critical race theory, racism, race, United States history, 1619 Project, curricula or curriculum.

Click on one of the bills related to curriculum and teaching. What does the bill (in several cases now law) in your state actually say? How does the bill go beyond just banning CRT? What questions do you have?

We chose Missouri's bill as an example. Go to View Latest Bill Text on the right side of the page (you don't have to sign in to track the bill). Are you familiar with some of the terms mentioned in the text but aren't exactly sure what they mean? How could you find out?

Debrief : Do you feel any differently about politicians' efforts to prohibit teaching certain topics now that you've read the text of the bill/law? How so? How could you find out more about why these bills have been proposed?

For More

For more on the push to limit so-called "divisive concepts" in classrooms, see this story.

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