Ideas for Teachers – October 2015

Nov 9, 2015

Resources for additional study: Minimum Wage Raise the Minimum Wage raisetheminimumwage.com University of Chicago Poll of Economists goo.gl/QvzwA2 Economic Policy Institute epi.org/pay/ Pew Research Center goo.gl/BB1x3A UC San Diego Dept of Economics Study goo.gl/PK4FTa Congressional Budget Office Report goo.gl/EPFmoY High-Speed Rail White House’s Position goo.gl/SmizZc American Public Transportation Assn. goo.gl/XtqqJo Heritage Foundation Commentary goo.gl/9OGiWz Campaign for America’s Future Commentary goo.gl/ZNHMOh Debate.org’s Pro & Con Arguments goo.gl/xLtbVR SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. Some of the links have been shortened for your convenience. Issue # 1 – Should the federal government raise the minimum wage? Those in favor of raising the minimum wage say all Americans should be able to earn a “living wage” – that is, enough money to maintain a normal standard of living by working a 40-hour week. They say if workers earn more money this will translate into fewer people needing government-assistance programs as well as more discretionary spending, which will fuel the economy. Those against argue that in a capitalist system the government should not intervene in free-market dynamics because this will affect companies’ ability to hire and pay workers, which could result in a loss of jobs. Should the U.S. raise the federal minimum wage? Issue # 2 – Should the government spend money to build a national high-speed rail network and grant funding to states such as California? Those for an intercity, high-speed rail across the U.S. say it will spur growth, reduce traffic, increase mobility by offering an alternative to flying or driving and reduce our dependence on oil. Those against the idea of the government investing in a national high-speed rail say it is simply too costly, with the expense outweighing any benefits. They point out that some states, such as Texas, are utilizing private funding. Should the U.S. government fund a high-speed rail system through grants to specific states?

Ideas for Teachers – May 2015

May 6, 2015

Websites and videos for additional study:

Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement be more beneficial to Americans than to multinationals?
Do the benefits of fracking outweigh the disadvantages?

The links above are to established, peer reviewed journals. Peer reviews are the evaluations of work by professional journalists who hold other journalists to standards of truth-in-reporting. SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. The links have been shortened for your convenience.

Issue # 1 – Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement be more beneficial to Americans than to multinationals? Most business interests, Republicans and the Obama administration back the TPP agreement, while virtually all of organized labor, most Democrats and environmental groups oppose it. Students can consider how America interacts with its global neighbors. Issue # 2 – Do the benefits of fracking outweigh the disadvantages? Fracking is at the heart of America’s oil and gas industry. To understand the controversy that surrounds the extraction method, students may want to consider these questions: What are the dangers of fracking? Are proper regulations in place to protect people and the environment? If America’s own fossil fuel is not produced, what are the consequences? Is it better for the U.S. to buy foreign fuel or to regulate its own oil and gas industry? Teachers – Please remind your students to download the new SGAP mobile app. Go to Google Play or iTunes Apple Store.

Ideas for Teachers – February 2015

Mar 4, 2015

Websites and videos for additional study:

Should the U.S. normalize relations with Cuba?

Should Congress make vaccinations mandatory?

The links above are to established, peer reviewed journals. Peer reviews are the evaluations of work by professional journalists who hold other journalists to standards of truth-in-reporting. SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. The links have been shortened for your convenience. 

Issue # 1 – Should the U.S. normalize relations with Cuba? The White House says, “It is clear that decades of U.S. isolation of Cuba have failed to accomplish our enduring objective of promoting the emergence of a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba.” Do you think American Democracy will be in jeopardy if it reestablishes ties with its Communist neighbor? You may want to define Democracy and Communism before you formulate your answer. Issue # 2 – Should Congress make vaccinations mandatory? While some say vaccinations are personal and each individual family should have the legal right to decide what is best based on their doctor’s recommendation, others say vaccinations are also meant to protect the lives of others, and no one has a right to put public health in jeopardy.

Ideas for Teachers – October 2014

Oct 9, 2014

Websites and videos for additional study: Should Congress pass legislation to reinstate Net Neutrality rules?

Should Congress pass legislation to block the EPA’s Water rule?

The links above are to established, peer reviewed journals. Peer reviews are the evaluations of work by professional journalists who hold other journalists to standards of truth-in-reporting. SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. The links have been shortened for your convenience.

Issue # 1 – Net Neutrality

Do you think “Big Cable” is trying to mislead the public by saying net neutrality is the same as over-regulation? Do you believe charging more for premium Internet services is a good idea? Do you think net neutrality will keep telecom companies from developing ideas and innovations for those who use the Internet?

Issue # 2 – EPA’s Water Rule

Do you think farmers and ranchers would be right to feel the EPA was invading their privacy if officials came on their land to inspect small bodies of water? How would you define America’s waterways? Do you feel our waterways must be strongly protected for the safety of all?

Ideas for Teachers – May 2014

Jun 3, 2014

Websites and videos for additional study:

 

Gun-Free School Zones

Photo IDs for Voters

The links above are to established, peer reviewed journals. Peer reviews are the evaluations of work by professional journalists who hold other journalists to standards of truth-in-reporting. SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. The links have been shortened for your convenience.

 

Issue #1 – Gun-Free School Zones

Should Congress pass a law doing away with gun-free school zones?

  1. Do you think gun-free school zones make students safer or more vulnerable to attack?
  2. Would you feel safer if an adult at your school was trained to carry a firearm?
  3. List ways that would help reduce violence on school campuses.

Issue #2 – Photo IDs for Voters

Should voters be required to present a photo ID at the polls?

  1. Do you think a photo ID requirement would keep people from voting? If so, what would you do about that?
  2. Should the federal government help less capable citizens acquire photo ID documents?
  3. Do you think voters should have to prove they are U.S. citizens?

Results of last issue’s poll

Should Congress do more to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine?

Yes No Undecided
40% 42% 18%

Should the American Gray Wolf be removed from the Endangered Species List?

Yes No Undecided
38% 49% 13%