NewsLiteracyPlaybook - Flipbook - Page 21
News Literacy and Civics Education
21
made by candidates and to the endorsements of
those candidates by individuals and organizations.
The goal of civics education in the 21st century is to
prepare students to be active, informed and engaged
participants in the civic life of their communities. It’s
not enough for students to memorize details or recite
facts about their country’s founding documents
and history; students must be able to apply what
they have learned. They must be able to evaluate,
understand and effectively communicate political
information, especially as it relates to their local
communities. It is here where news literacy lays
the foundation and develops the skills for students
to become critical consumers of news and other
information — which then empowers them to be
engaged and informed citizens.
Journalism teacher Noreen Connolly (left) guides a student at
St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, New Jersey, through a Checkology
lesson in 2017.