Media Literacy Now: States' legislative initiatives

June 28 

Perspective:

In recent reading and discussions of this course, we had opportunities to explore the role of school librarian in supporting the use of Ed Tech in schools and help students developing knowledge and skills needed in the digital age. We have seen that federal and state’s legislations play a big part in these areas. As school librarians, we have the responsibility to be at the forefront of digital technologies and resources and providing them in ways consistent with the laws. It is challenging work given the continuously changing technologies. The challenge is even greater if not knowing if there are legislations that have a direct impact on what we do as school librarians, or not having a clear understanding of what the law says

In an article by Dawkins, A (2020), the authors points out about the confusion and uncertainty about the role and responsibilities of school librarians in teaching about digital citizenship. A study conducted after the state of Utah passed legislation mandating that K-12 schools provide digital citizenship instruction found that “school librarians didn't know who provided the instruction, didn't know who had responsibility, or were even unaware of the state mandate for digital citizenship instruction.”

I found from the same article that there is a web tool that we can use as a road map for tracking legislations that requires digital citizenship or media literacy instruction for K-12 students. School librarians can use the site to track proposed bills in their own states and nationwide.

Media Literacy Now

https://medialiteracynow.org/your-state-legislation

The website’s mission statement makes it clear that Media Literacy Now is advocating for literacy skills in public education systems as a grassroot non-profit organization. A map on the homepage of the website shows states with legislative solution and includes icons to indicate whether the state has to create standards and the scope of the requirements.

Evaluation:

Given that  the purpose of the website was to enable the users to look for an existing or proposed legislation, and showing a map of the states that are involved with the legislative process, I was frustrated that I could not navigate the state's legislation using the map. The website also doesn't have a search tool. The website should include this feature to allow for  intuitive navigation. Instead, you have to go to the annual report- U.S. Media Literacy Policy Report: A State-By-State Status of Media Literacy Education Laws for K-12 Schools. You have to look through the report to locate state laws and initiatives. 

I also feel that it would be nice if this site could provide a direct link to the legislation that has been approved so that school librarians could read the specific provisions and requirements of that legislation to fully understand how it applies to them.

Key Components of the Report

U.S. Media Literacy Policy Report: A State-By-State Status of Media Literacy Education Laws for K-12 Schools.

• Changes or trends in media literacy laws.
• Summary of states that have taken significant legislative action, states that have advanced media literacy through legislative process, and states that have pending legislation.
• Analysis and findings on states that have taken new action in the past year.
• State by state history: laws and policies relating to media literacy including. recommendations, creation of task forces, advisory councils and new roles to support and develop media literacy, and funding of programs.
• Case studies.
• Policy and advocacy trends.

Something that stood out for me from Media Literacy Policy Report 2023:

Definitions:

Media literacy is the ability to: decode media messages, including the systems in which they exist; assess the influence of those messages on our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, perceptions, beliefs, health, and on our society; and use and create media to provide information, send a message, or tell one’s own story in a way that is thoughtful, conscientious, safe, and responsible.

Media literacy is the umbrella term for a number of other competencies and concept

Digital citizenship refers to the use of media literacy to participate in the public sphere using communications technology. Digital citizenship is an outcome that requires media literacy skills.

Digital literacy is applying media literacy skills when using digital technology to create, send, and take in information and messages.

The U.S. Department of Education has a definition for programs it funds: "Digital literacy refers to the skills needed when using digital technology that enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information; and also to develop digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology."

Information literacy is a subdomain of media literacy that enables individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. This interpretation is provided by American Library Association.

School Librarians:

“School librarian associations have been playing a leadership role in raising awareness of the need for media and information literacy and driving policy changes. Librarians have been at the forefront of introducing media literacy concepts in schools and providing guidance to teachers. There is an opportunity now for that role to become formalized. Federal funding may also offer opportunities to expand that role.”

References:

Dawkins, A. (2020). Chapter 4: Digital Citizenship, Digital Legacy, and School Librarians. Library Technology Reports, 56(5), 17–21.

U.S. Media Literacy Policy Report 2023: A State-By-State Status of Media Literacy Education Laws for K-12 Schools. MLN Annual Full Report Final (medialiteracynow.org) https://medialiteracynow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MediaLiteracyNowPolicyReport2023_publishedFeb2024b.pdf