President Obama has something to say about education, and would like to say it to students. This has become another polarizing event for the Right and Left- why?  Certainly if it was President Bush, the Right would fight for Diamond Vision screens in cafeterias nationwide. Instead, they are actively promoting a protest day. But let me set politics aside for the balance of this post. There is a fantastic opportunity here that is being skipped by both sides of the aisle:

Teach about media.


Teach why a President would want to talk directly to children. Teach how the President can get airtime and news attention that will relay his agenda and his viewpoints. Teach why people would object to this. Teach how important it is to some people that information is regulated. Teach how important it is to some people that information is UNregulated. Teach what might be called partisan in the President’s message. Teach what the alternatives to the President’s suggestions might offer.

Whatever a family’s point of view on education might be, I believe a child will improve their ability to navigate the world if they are offered the power to reason, and the power of understanding the influence (and influenced!) media and news.

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