California’s media literacy bill heads to Newsom for approval.
A California Bill Aims to Teach Students About Media Literacy
A California bill that aims to teach students about media literacy—that is, to help them develop critical thinking skills regarding online information—needs only a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom before becoming law.
The bill was presented to the governor on September 14 for approval before becoming law, after passing the state Assembly in a unanimous vote in May, and clearing the Senate 35–2 on September 7.
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The bill will direct the state Department of Education’s Instructional Quality Commission to incorporate media literacy content into English language arts, science, mathematics, and history-social science curricula when those frameworks are next revised.
The bill defines media literacy as the “ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and use media and information and encompasses the foundational skills that lead to digital citizenship,” according to the bill’s text.
“Digital citizenship,” Mr. Berman stated in the Assembly Education Committee’s analysis of the bill, “is a diverse set of skills related to current technology and social media, including the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior.”
Mr. Berman said he introduced the bill because children are increasingly getting the majority of their information and news from the internet.
“Misinformation and disinformation on the internet intensify political polarization, threaten public health, and undermine faith in democratic institutions,” he stated in the analysis. “As kids spend more time online and get the majority of their news from social media, they need to be equipped to detect, analyze, and evaluate negative or false media messages.”
The education committee’s analysis also provided several media literacy example lessons—including teaching elementary students to use the online library catalog; middle school students to use spreadsheets to organize data; and high school students to access information in a database and then to create a video project about such information.
Mr. Berman also said that the bill follows the lead of several other states—such as New Jersey, Illinois, and Delaware—in integrating media literacy into educational core subjects.
The bill received support from several media and education organizations – including Media Alliance, Media Literacy Now, and Common Sense Media—as well as the California Teachers Association, the largest teachers union in the state with more than 310,000 members, according to its website.
How will integrating media literacy lessons into the curriculum benefit students?
Ional skills that enable individuals to apply critical thinking to different forms of media, including social media, news articles, and online videos. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the vast amount of information available online and distinguish factual content from misinformation, propaganda, and bias.
Assemblymember Berman, the bill’s author, stated that media literacy education is crucial in today’s digital age where false information can easily spread and influence public opinion. He believes that teaching students how to critically evaluate sources and verify information will help them become informed citizens and protect them from being manipulated by misleading content.
The bill requires schools to integrate media literacy lessons into the curriculum for all grade levels. It acknowledges the importance of incorporating media literacy into various subjects, including English language arts, science, mathematics, and history-social science. By incorporating media literacy into core subjects, students will have consistent exposure to critical thinking skills and develop a habit of analyzing and evaluating media content across different contexts.
The bill also recognizes the need for state standards in media literacy education. It directs the state Department of Education’s Instructional Quality Commission to develop these standards and incorporate them into the curriculum frameworks. By setting clear guidelines, the bill ensures that all schools in California provide consistent and comprehensive media literacy education.
Furthermore, the bill places importance on professional development for teachers to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach media literacy. It recognizes that educators play a crucial role in guiding students through the complexities of media and information and emphasizes the need to support them in delivering high-quality instruction.
Advocates for the bill argue that media literacy education is not only relevant for students but also for society as a whole. In an era where misinformation can have far-reaching consequences, teaching students how to critically navigate media will cultivate a more informed and discerning population. Moreover, media literacy education promotes democratic values by nurturing an engaged and participatory citizenry.
Supporters of the bill also argue that media literacy education can help combat issues such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and the spread of extremist ideologies. By equipping students with media literacy skills, they will be better prepared to identify and respond to harmful content, ultimately creating a safer online environment for themselves and others.
As the bill awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature, all eyes are on California as it takes a significant step towards incorporating media literacy education into its state standards. If signed into law, California will join a growing number of states recognizing the importance of media literacy in the digital age. By equipping students with critical thinking skills and the ability to navigate the complexities of media, these states are preparing the next generation to become informed, active, and responsible participants in our increasingly interconnected world.
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