Teaching Truth in Uncertain Times: Evaluating Sources as the Dept. of Education Faces Changes

First, here's what you need to carry in your heart:

"You are not just an educator; you are a force for stability, hope, and change. No policy, no funding cut, no political shift can take that power away from you."

- Grace Stevens

** For instant access to a  free PDF media literacy resource guide with the lesson plans and resources mentioned in this blog post CLICK HERE

Well, it's been a very turbulent few weeks in the United States of America. Regardless of your politics, if you are in education, there have been many stressors, and uncertainty and anxiety have been at an all-time high. With a constant assault of changes, it's hard to stay optimistic and to feel empowered to drown out the noise and focus on what matters: our students.

Teachers are experiencing intense fear and are overwhelmed by very real and urgent threats to education, including:

• Increased ICE raids impacting students and families.
• Political propaganda makes it harder to trust information.
• .gov sites no longer maintaining neutrality.
• The potential elimination of the Department of Education and funding cuts.

We need to work hard to protect our mental health outside the classroom, stay strong, and show up to serve others. We also need to know how to navigate professional relationships with co-workers, parents, and school leadership members who may have very different political views than our own.

It's a big topic. As with everything I teach, I'll start with this. The easiest way to stay out of overwhelm is to focus on what you can control. 

Doubling down on your efforts to foster a truly collaborative, inclusive classroom and campus community? You have control over that.

Doubling down on your efforts to teach critical thinking skills and evaluating media sources for bias? You can do that. Listen, even second graders know the difference between fact and opinion. It's right there in our content standards for second grade and beyond. Never think that your students are too young for this type of information.

How about evaluating your own media consumption habits and biases to see if they are making you feel more empowered and informed or contributing to your overwhelm and causing paralysis? That is also within your (and only your) control.

These are all significant conversations. In my latest episode on the Teacher Self-Care and Life Balance Podcast, I discussed some of these in greater depth. I encourage you to listen if you are struggling to remain hopeful right now.

I also explored various resources and strategies for helping older students with media literacy skills. On the podcast, I promised a blog post for those who prefer to read and a place to download the resources I mentioned easily. 

So here we are. 

How Teachers Can Help Students Evaluate Sources in an Era of Misinformation

Teachers face unprecedented challenges in today’s rapidly changing political and media landscape. From discussions about the potential elimination of the Department of Education to increased political propaganda and biased reporting, educators must equip students with the skills to evaluate information critically. By fostering strong media literacy skills, we can empower students to think critically, question sources, and separate facts from misinformation.

Here’s how you can take control in your classroom and give students the tools they need to navigate today’s information-heavy world.

Understanding the Current Threats to Public Education

Before diving into solutions, let’s acknowledge the challenges educators face:

• The Uncertain Future of the Department of Education – Discussions about defunding or eliminating the U.S. Department of Education could impact federal education programs, funding, and policies that protect vulnerable students.

• Increased Political Propaganda in Schools – Education is increasingly politicized, with some states limiting discussions on certain historical and social topics.

• Misinformation & Bias in Media – With government websites no longer consistently neutral and social media amplifying false narratives, students are exposed to misleading information more than ever.

• Fear & Anxiety in Immigrant Communities – ICE raids and political rhetoric have heightened fear among undocumented students and their families, making it even more important to ensure reliable information reaches them.

While these issues are beyond our direct control, we can take action where it matters most—helping students think critically about the information they consume. We can validate student concerns without adding to their fear and anxiety.

How to Teach Students to Evaluate Sources for Bias

1️⃣ The C.R.A.A.P. Test: A Simple Framework for Source Evaluation

One of the easiest ways to help students assess a source is by using the C.R.A.A.P. Test:

✅ Currency: Is the information recent and up-to-date?

✅ Relevance: Does it directly relate to the topic or question?

✅ Authority: Who is the author or publisher? Are they credible?

✅ Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence and legitimate sources?

✅ Purpose: Is the content meant to inform, persuade, or sell something?

📝 Classroom Activity: Give students three different articles on the same topic (e.g., climate change) from different sources (a news outlet, a blog, and a research paper). Have them analyze each using the C.R.A.A.P. test.

2️⃣ Fact-Checking Before Believing or Sharing

One of the biggest contributors to misinformation is people sharing articles without verifying them. Teach students how to fact-check using nonpartisan, reputable sources:

🔹 Snopes – Debunks viral misinformation and conspiracy theories.

🔹 FactCheck.org – Investigates political claims and debunks false narratives.

🔹 Politifact – Rates the accuracy of statements made by politicians and media.

🔹 AllSides – Shows how different news sources report the same story from left, center, and right perspectives.

📝 Classroom Activity: Show students a viral social media claim (e.g., “Chocolate cures cancer!”) and have them verify its accuracy using one of these fact-checking websites.

3️⃣ Identifying Loaded Language & Emotional Manipulation

Bias is often hidden in the words used in news articles. Help students recognize:

🔹 Loaded words – “Freedom fighter” vs. “terrorist” (How is the story framed?)

🔹 Emotional appeals – Is the article trying to make you feel angry or afraid?

🔹 Exaggerations & absolutes – Words like “always,” “never,” “disaster,” or “miracle” are red flags.

📝 Classroom Activity: Give students headlines and ask: Is this neutral or emotionally charged? How would you rewrite it in a neutral tone?

4️⃣ Comparing Left, Right, and Center Perspectives

Students should be aware of how different sources report the same story differently.

🔹 Use AllSides to compare how left-leaning, right-leaning, and centrist sources cover the same news event.

📝 Classroom Activity: Split students into groups, assign each a different article, and have them present the bias indicators they found. Then, compare articles to see how framing differs.

Fostering an Inclusive and Empowering Classroom Community

One of the most powerful ways to combat misinformation is by creating a classroom culture of trust, inclusion, and cooperation. When students feel safe and valued, they are more open to critical thinking and respectful debate.

🔹 Encourage diverse perspectives – Make space for all viewpoints while promoting respectful discussion.

🔹 Teach empathy – Misinformation often preys on fear. Help students understand different perspectives to resist manipulation.

🔹 Build collaborative learning environments – Group activities and peer discussions encourage teamwork and reduce the polarization that misinformation can create.

📝 Classroom Activity: Host a student-led discussion where each group presents a controversial topic from multiple perspectives, using only fact-checked sources.

Teacher Self-Care: Avoiding Burnout and Social Media Overload

As teachers, we often feel the need to stay constantly informed—but that can come at a cost. Overexposure to divisive news and social media can lead to stress, burnout, and a sense of helplessness.

Here’s how to maintain balance:

🔹 Set boundaries with news consumption – Limit news-checking to once or twice a day.

🔹 Take breaks from social media – Algorithms amplify negativity, so stepping away can improve mental clarity.

🔹 Find a supportive community – Connect with fellow educators who focus on solutions, not just problems. 🔹

 Practice self-care – Engage in hobbies, mindfulness, or physical activity to maintain well-being.

📝 Personal Reflection: Take five minutes each day to write down one positive impact you made in your classroom. Small wins add up!

Staying informed is important, but right now, it feels exhausting. There’s so much misinformation, political noise, and fear-driven headlines. So, how do we get the facts without falling into the doom-scrolling trap?

To the best of my knowledge, here are a few nonpartisan, reputable sources that can help you stay informed while protecting your mental health.

1️⃣ Education-Focused News & Policy

🔹 Education Week – A go-to source for teachers looking for updates on policy, classroom strategies, and professional development.
🔹 The Hechinger Report – Investigates equity, funding, and innovation in education.
🔹 Edutopia – If you’re looking for solutions, not just problems, Edutopia is a great resource for evidence-based teaching strategies.
🔹 Brookings Institution – Education – Research-based policy analysis without political spin.

2️⃣ General News Without Political Spin

🔹 Associated Press (AP) – Just the facts, no agenda.
🔹 Reuters – A global news source known for neutrality.
🔹 Pew Research Center – If you love data over drama, this is a great place for nonpartisan research on education and social issues.
🔹 Ballotpedia – A nonpartisan guide to elections, policies, and legislation impacting schools.

3️⃣ Supporting Immigrant & Vulnerable Students

If you’re worried about how ICE raids, legal changes, or policy shifts impact your students, these resources can help you be an informed advocate without feeling like you have to figure it all out alone.

🔹 National Immigration Law Center (NILC) – Know your students’ rights and where to direct families for legal support.
🔹 Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Updates on DACA, undocumented student protections, and legal resources.
🔹 Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) – Classroom resources for creating safe, inclusive spaces.

Final Thoughts: Be Curious, Not Gullible

As teachers, we may not be able to control political shifts, but we can control how we prepare students for the world. Media literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give them. Encourage your students to:

✅ Ask Who wrote this? Why?

✅ Cross-check with multiple sources.

✅ Recognize their own bias.

✅ Think critically before sharing information.

By fostering these skills, we can help the next generation become informed, engaged citizens—ready to question, analyze, and seek the truth in a world filled with noise.

I will end how I started with a reminder that,

"You are not just an educator; you are a force for stability, hope, and change. No policy, no funding cut, no political shift can take that power away from you."