Ideas for Teachers for May 2023

Apr 18, 2023

RESEARCH LINKS

THE IDEA OF THE 32-HOUR (OR FOUR-DAY) WORKWEEK has been bandied about for decades in the U.S. As far back as the 1950s, The New York Times reported that then U.S. Vice President Richard M. Nixon—a Republican—predicted the coming of the four-day or 32-hour workweek in our nation. In a Sept. 23, 1956, NYT article, reporter William M. Blair wrote, “Vice President Richard M. Nixon foresaw tonight for the ‘not too distant future’ a four-day workweek and a fuller family life for every American.”

Issue 1: 32-Hour Workweek
Congress.gov: H.R.1332 “Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act”
The Hill: “33 Companies Tested 4-day Week. None Are Planning to Switch Back”
shrm.org: “Is the 32-Hour Workweek Feasible in the US? Experts Weigh In”
New York Times: “Trial Run of 4-Day Workweek Wins Converts”
KXAN.com: “60 School Districts in Texas Have Made Switch to 4-day Weeks”
Higher Ed Dive: “Inside One College’s Move to a 4-day Workweek”

Issue 2: Gas Stoves
Congress.gov: S.240 “Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act”
U.S. Oil and Gas Association: “Hands Off My Stove”
Fox News: “Democrat Led Cities Already Moving Forward on Gas Stove Bans”
USA Today: “Gas Stove Bans Explained: Why Are They Suddenly Controversial?”
Wall Street Journal: “Banning Gas Stoves by Regulation”
Fox News: “’Hands Off My Stove:’ Group Pushes Back Against Gas Stove Bans”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: 32-Hour Workweek

  1. How do you think having a shorter workweek would affect workers’ productivity? Would it rise, fall or remain the same? Why?
  2. If your school changed to a 4-day week, how would that affect your life? For instance, you might have less time for an after-school job. What are other ways such a schedule might affect your life?
  3. How might a shorter workweek be good or bad for the environment? Explain.
  4. In Japan, Microsoft trialed a four-day workweek and saw improvements in workers’ productivity and job satisfaction. Do you think this would work in the U.S.? Why or why not?
  5. How did the COVID pandemic change American workers’ expectations about work/life balance? Explain.

Issue 2: Gas Stoves

  1. Why do you think gas stoves have become such a “hot topic?” What is the underlying issue? Explain.
  2. Regarding gas stoves, CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka, Jr. said, “Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.” Republications charged that the statement was a weaponization of the federal bureaucracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  3. Trumka later clarified that regulations restricting gas stoves would apply to new products only (not gas stoves currently in people’s homes). Does this change your opinion? Why or why not?
  4. Read the pro/con quotes for the gas stoves issue on p. 3 of the Student Forum newsletter. Whose opinion do you agree with more? Explain why.
  5. Do you think it’s unfair to tell people which appliance they can and can’t use? Why or why not?

Ideas for Teachers for April 2023

Mar 15, 2023

RESEARCH LINKS

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILD-HOOD ARRIVALS (DACA) is a deferred action policy implemented by the Obama administration in June 2012. It protects qualifying young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, temporarily shielding them from deportation and providing them work authorization with possible renewal every year (until recently, every two years).

Issue 1: Dream Act
Congress.gov: S.365 “Dream Act of 2023”
National Immigration Forum: “Bill Summary – Dream Act of 2023”
fwd.us: “Dreamers by the Numbers”
Migration Policy Institute: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Tools”
White House: “Statement by President Biden on Protecting Dreamers”
Heritage Foundation: “DACA May Help ‘Dreamers,’ but Illegal Immigration Hurts U.S.”

Issue 2: Universal Child Care
Congress.gov: S.388 “Child Care for Every Community Act”
Virginia Commonwealth University: “The History of Child Care in the U.S.”
NPR.org: “That Time America Paid for Universal Day Care”
Time.com: “The U.S. Almost Had Universal Child Care 50 Years Ago”
Jezebel.com: “A Brief, Shameful History of Childcare in the United States”
Rasmussen University: “Exploring the Potential Pros and Cons of Universal Pre-K”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Dream Act

What are some reasons people immigrate (legally and illegally) to the United States? What challenges might they face? Do you think their expectations for a better life are met? If not, how does this country disappoint or not live up its promise?
What do you think the U.S. government should do to address the legal status of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children?
Who are the Dreamers? What requirements must they meet to be eligible for citizenship under the Dream Act?
What is the most compelling argument to pass the Dream Act? What is the most convincing reason not to?
What solutions might students offer legislators when considering the futures of young people brought to the country as children?

Issue 2: Universal Child Care

Do you think that U.S. taxpayers should fund the cost of childcare for working families? Why or why not?
Should child care be left to individual parents and families, or is it a broader, societal issue? Explain.
Do you think that child care workers should be paid more for the work they do? Why or why not?
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said, “It’s impossible to have a strong economy when it’s too expensive to work because of child care.” Do you agree with her statement? Why or why not?
How might a lack of access to high quality and affordable child care impact working women more so than working men? What are the implications for gender inequality?