Should All Schools Have Student Newspapers?
Just 27 percent of public high schools in New York City have a newspaper. A new initiative is trying to change that.
Should Schools Ban Student Phones?
More and more states are cracking down on students’ use of cellphones. Are these restrictions fair? Can they work?
Should All Schools Provide Free Lunch?
Over the past decade, many more public schools started to offer free meals to all children, regardless of family income. Does your school? If not, should it?
Should Schools Give Students Money to Invest in Their Futures?
In what ways is your school investing in your future? Do you think it is equipping you with the skills and experiences to become financially independent and secure, such as providing internships, clubs, after-school programs, financial literacy courses or vocational training?A nonprofit group in New York City is giving thousands of students in Harlem $10,000…
Should Schools Serve Healthier Meals if It Changes Students’ Favorite Foods?
Do you eat breakfast, lunch or snacks from your school’s cafeteria? If so, what do you eat? What are your favorite foods? How nutritious do you think your choices are?New federal regulations on salt (or sodium) and sugar are coming to school cafeterias. Do you think they will change your favorite foods? Will they affect…
How Should Schools Respond to Racist Jokes?
Have you ever heard racist jokes or comments at your school? Do you think that hateful speech — in class or online — is a big problem for your school community?How do your teachers and school administrators deal with these incidents? Do you think their responses are effective?In “How Do You Respond to a Young…
Should Schools Ban Cellphones?
In “This Florida School District Banned Cellphones. Here’s What Happened,” Natasha Singer writes that in the wake of Orlando’s new policy, which bars students from using cellphones during the entire school day, student engagement increased, but so did the hunt for contraband phones:One afternoon last month, hundreds of students at Timber Creek High School in…
Do Schools Need to Do More to Hold Students Accountable?
Do you think your school does enough to hold all students accountable academically and behaviorally?For example, what happens if you miss several days of school? Are you required to make them up somehow? Are your grades affected? Do you risk being held back if you are absent too many times?What about if you don’t turn…
Should Schools Teach Students Kitchen and Household Skills?
By the time you graduate high school, will you have had any classes designed to give you the hands-on experience that develops skills like being able to build something out of wood or cook a meal?If your answer is yes, have these classes been valuable to you? If your answer is no, do you wish…
How Can Schools Engage Students Who Are at Risk of Dropping Out?
Cater to their interests? Relax some of the rules? Emphasize socialization? Or something else?
