More than 40 million Americans have debt from student loans, totaling around $1.3 trillion nationally. In this lesson, students will learn about the issue of student debt in the U.S. and research tuition-free or low-cost college education options using videos from the 'How the Deck is Stacked' video series.

Subject

Economics, social studies, U.S. government, civics

Grade

7-12

Essential question

What should be done about the student debt crisis in the U.S.?

Objective

To understand the student debt crisis in the U.S. and to research ways to make college more affordable.

Procedure

Watch the PBS NewsHour story 'Our student debt anxiety explained in one video,' a partnership with Frontline, PBS NewsHour and Marketplace, and answer the following questions:

1. What are some reasons why student loan debt is so high?
2. What are some benefits to going to college and taking on some debt?
3. Which group of people are likely to be the most negatively impacted by student loan debt?
4. Would you be willing to take on a considerable amount of student loans in order to go to college? Why or why not?

Watch the PBS NewsHour story "Why student debt is a 'crisis' for some borrowers," a partnership with Frontline, PBS NewsHour and Marketplace, and answer the following questions.

1. What is the average student debt in the U.S.?
2. Why do student loans cause stress for so many people, including Jordan Hoeft's family?
3. What could be done to improve the situation between loan borrowers and loan lenders?
4. Do you think it's possible to provide students with a tuition-free college experience? Why or why not? How have several European countries been able to send students to college for free or at a very low cost?

Extension activities

• Know Your Vote, Know the Issues – Lesson Plan
  • There are several major issues that persistently trouble Americans, including the student debt crisis. Answer the following questions after watching the video below:
    • Describe the problems students face trying to get a better education with the high cost of college.
    • Why have higher education costs gone up so much?
    • Which of the possible solutions mentioned in the film do you think are the best and why?

We The Voters - Student Debt Roulette from FilmBuff on Vimeo .

• Complete the lesson plan , 'Income Inequality in the United States,' the first lesson plan based on the 'How the Deck is Stacked' series.