Some schools opt for a single, annual school-wide assembly on the subject, while others provided teachers with professional development courses so they can incorporate the topic into their classrooms.
“We’re located in upstate New York, and our community is very conservative, so with that comes a lot of information about the term ‘fake news,’ what is being presented to students, how information is collected and then what we do with it once we get it,” said Matthew Sloane, principal of Middleburgh Junior/Senior High School.
“So in the school, what we do is we really focus on how to be curious. When you think something’s a fact, how do you know it’s a fact? How do you verify it?” he added.
Misinformation has been an increasing concern, most recently with how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been responding to the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is among those pushing false claims, such as that the government can control the weather or that FEMA is offering only $750 to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods in storms.
Former President Trump has also falsely claimed FEMA was withholding aid specifically from Republican hurricane victims, as Election Day looms just weeks away.
Some teachers try to take those topics head-on.
“Something like the storms became a big media frenzy across all platforms, traditional media and even on social,” said Merve Lapus, vice president of education outreach and engagement at Common Sense Media.
“And because of that, educators, more than likely, I know some of my local educators, they typically want to talk about the big trends that are happening in the lives of their kids, especially something that can be scary,” he continued.
The Hill’s Lexi Lonas Cochran has more here.
