How New Laws Are Limiting What Can Be Taught in Schools
Ask Students: Why have these laws been suggested in the past year? Where are some of these laws being proposed, and who has the power to enact them?
Summary
Black History Month has put the spotlight on diversity education – and the impact of the ban on teaching so-called “divisive concepts” about race, gender and society in class. According to an analysis by Education Week, 37 states are considering limits to the teaching of sexism, racism and inequality. Nadra Nittle, education reporter for The 19th, joins.
Discussion Questions
- Who is interviewed in this piece, and what is her background?
- What are some of the state laws that are being proposed or that have passed already, according to this piece?
- Why have these laws been suggested in the past year, according to this interview?
- Where are some of these laws being proposed, and who has the power to enact them?
- How have these laws already started to impact schools, according to this piece?
Focus Questions
Do you think parents should be able to have any book or lesson removed from a class if they are uncomfortable with it? If that is allowed, what are the consequences?
Media literacy: Why do you think the producers chose this title for the piece?
Additional Resources
- Black History Month Lesson Plans and Resources
- Diverse Books: Lesson Plans and Resources for PreK-12 Education
- Holocaust Remembrance and Lesson Plans
- LGBTQ History Month: Free Lesson Plans, Resources and Activities
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Extra.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
Advertisement
