Assessing the state of media literacy policy in U.S. K-12 schools

ABSTRACT Warning signs for the health of the American democracy abound. These challenges have multiple manifestations and multiple roots, but media and the Internet, more broadly, are implicated in prominent ways. Schools, the institutions charged with educating current and future generations, have a role to play in supporting the preparation of an informed citizenry. This study examines the extent to which state level legislation supports the provision of civically oriented media literacy education. To do so, we first identify several critically needed media literacy education dimensions and then examine how well existing legislation from all 50 states responds to these identified needs. Findings reveal that not only is there an overall dearth of K-12 media literacy policy, but definitions and corresponding resources remain sparse and varied. For schools to fulfill their role of providing young people with the knowledge, skills, and commitments to participate and promote a vibrant and informed democracy, this study concludes that more must be done to support media literacy education within state level policy. IMPACT SUMMARY Prior State of Knowledge: Studies indicate that few young people in the United States receive significant learning opportunities to develop and practice media literacy-related skills. While federal legislation is valuable to help set the tone for the nation, state support for local innovation has long been a key strategy for supporting school reform efforts. Novel Contributions: Accordingly, this study examines the extent to which state level legislation supports the provision of civically oriented media literacy education. Practical Implications: Findings reveal that media literacy policy remains the exception, rather than the norm, in states across country – which suggests the need for all state legislators to consider the importance of developing and passing policy that would provide the infrastructure their states need to support young people in learning media literacy skills on a routine basis in schools.