NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
President Donald Trump made good on a pledge by signing an order to dismantle the Department of Education. The department has been a target since it was created more than four decades ago. But Trump and other Republicans want to go all the way this time, calling the department wasteful and arguing it fails too many students.
View the transcript of the story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- When was the Department of Education created?
- What is Trump's argument for shutting down the Department of Education?
- Who does Trump want to take over responsibility for education?
- What are the primary responsibilities of the Department of Education?
- Why are Democrats critical of Trump's plan?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
While states have long held the primary responsibility for education, federal funding is responsible for programs that provide meals for homeless students and Title I funding for low-income schools. Trump says these programs will continue to exist but operate under different agencies.
What effects do you think that splitting up the responsibility for these education programs will have on their function?
Media literacy: Do you know of any education programs in your community that receive federal funding? How can you find out?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Read this News Hour Classroom Educator Voice piece, How dismantling the Department of Education would affect teachers and students, to hear directly from educators on the issue.
Watch the video below to hear two differing perspectives on Trump's order to dismantle the Education Department. If short on time, you can read the transcript here. Then, answer the questions below the video.
- What are the main points raised by Rick Hess?
- What are the main points raised by Catherine Lhamon?
- In your opinion, what is the strongest argument raised by either Hess or Lhamon?
Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio.
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