Tool Objectives:

1. Increase awareness of issues surrounding politicization in Education.
2. Guide discussion and debate of the role of politics in the educational arena.

Tool Description:

This discussion guide was created to prompt debate over current events surrounding the increased interest and incidence of legislation surrounding classroom curriculum and behaviors.  The aim of this guide is to spark healthy conversation about the role of political entities in education and what the ramifications of over or under involved political entities might mean for our society at large.

Tool Procedures:

1. Read the article linked at the bottom of this document.
2. In small groups, discuss:
   1.  the pros and cons of political entities’ interest in and involvement in education since the beginning of the Covid 19 Pandemic.
   2. Discuss specific US State Legislation or policies that may have been impacted by politicization.  Examples include but are not limited to book bans, teachers’ ability to carry weapons, etc.
   3. What impact do these decisions have on students’ ability to learn and to feel safe?
   4. How can we get involved and through what mechanisms can we share our thoughts and voices to persons in power?
3. Come together as a whole group and discuss your thoughts, examples, and ways to use your voices.
4. Remember to listen actively and respectfully when others are speaking.

Tool Evaluation:

Discussion

Tool Time Requirement:

30 minutes to 1 hour

Tool Resource and Author:

“Education and the Politicizing of Everything”

Pete Greene