Media Use and Literacy in Schools: Civic Development in the Era of Truth Decay

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hamilton, Laura S.

Contributor:

Hu, Lynn

Kaufman, Julia H.

Language:

English

Other Title:

Media Use and Literacy in Schools

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. RAND Corporation 2020

Summary:

Public schools that serve kindergarteners through 12th graders can play a key role in combating Truth Decay by supporting students' civic development and engagement. Media literacy instruction is one way that schools can do this. Assessments of American students' media literacy capabilities have shown that large majorities lack the knowledge and skills needed to interpret media accurately. This Data Note examines public-school social studies teachers' reports regarding how they and their schools promote media literacy and the appropriate use of media by students. It also summarizes teachers' perceptions of challenges associated with media literacy and use. This Data Note is intended to provide a broad, nationally representative view of how social studies teachers and schools reported addressing (or planning to address) media literacy and media use in fall 2019. These data can help policymakers and education leaders understand how the nation's schools are addressing these topics, the extent to which these practices vary across different types of schools, and the supports that teachers might need in order to provide effective instruction in this area.