VOL. 43, NO. 4 | WINTER 2019–2020 www.aft.org /ae ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: HELPING DEMOCRACY THRIVE PAGE 29 UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM PAGE 34 Teaching Climate Change WHAT EDUCATORS SHOULD KNOW AND CAN DO PAGE 4 Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterwork of WINNER of the PULITZER PRIZE honor and injustice in the Deep South —and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred AFT and First Book unveil brand-new O ne of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty edition of million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular To Kill a Mockingbird motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable coming-of-age tale in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of To help teach the importance of civic engagement and bring to life issues a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime. such as racial injustice and civil rights, the AFT and First Book have partnered “A first novel of such rare excellence that it will no doubt make a great many readers slow down to relish more fully its simple distinction. A to create an AFT limited edition of Harper Lee’sTo Kill a Mockingbird. novel of strong contemporary national significance.” —Chicago Tribune “Novelist Lee’s prose has an edge that cuts through cant, and The special edition of this classic novel will be distributed to AFT she teaches the reader an astonishing number of useful truths about little girls and about Southern life.” —Time members working in Title I schools and other programs serving children HARPER LEE was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She is the author in need, to help educators spark discussion and engage students with of the acclaimed novels To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman, and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and important topics. numerous other literary awards and honors. She died on February 19, 2016. Are you an AFT member working in a Title I school or a program where HARPERPERENNIAL M O DER N CLASSICS at least 70 percent of the children come from low-income families? Cover design by Shirley Smith HARPER PERENNIAL Visit www.firstbook.org/AFTMockingbird for a chance to receive up to MODERN HARPERPERENNIAL M O D ERNCLASSICS CLASSICS 30 free copies* of this special edition! *This is a first-come, first-served opportunity while inventory lasts. LEARNING FIRST ALLIANCE WHERE WE STAND A Beacon of Hope on Climate Change RANDI WEINGARTEN, AFT President STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS are hundreds of organizations, including the their fortunes and influence to undo involved in many of the mass movements AFT. Students across the United States environmental protections. Communities of our time—from calling for sensible walked out of school to participate. of color and low-income people suffer policies to combat climate change and Educators, including AFT members, didn’t disproportionately from environmental gun violence, to protesting the inhumane just show up, they helped navigate an degradation and climate change. Presi- treatment of immigrants and supporting array of policies in various districts dent Trump has withdrawn from the Paris the Black Lives Matter movement. In the regarding student absences, logistical climate agreement, and his administration fight for environmental justice, much of support, and participation in student-led has reversed many efforts to safeguard the the leadership is coming from students— actions—as well as teaching classroom environment. Trump and his administra- and their teachers couldn’t be prouder. lessons on climate change. tion have abandoned the once bipartisan One of the foremost purposes of Young Americans have grown up in an leadership of the United States in address- education is to prepare young people for age of the earth warming, seas rising, ing global climate change. the possibilities and responsibilities of devastating wildfires, and frequent “once citizenship. This goes way beyond the in a century” storms. They are taking their memorization and regurgitation of facts. future into their own hands. They Teachers guide their students to develop understand their power to bring about judgment and discernment to be engaged change. But they need people already in Young people and empowered participants in society. power to act now to address the worsen- This is why the American Federation ing climate crisis. Beyond demonstra- recognize the urgency of Teachers fights for the freedom to tions, people must use the political teach so classrooms are freed from the process to change policy. of the climate crisis tyranny of high-stakes testing and test Today, even as the focus of the environ- prep, to allow time for project-based mental movement has evolved from that their elders learning—so students can analyze concerns about pollution to fear of possible problems in their communities, figure extinction, proponents and opponents of failed to summon. out potential solutions, and advocate for tackling climate change largely take their change. It’s why we reject lockstep pacing places along party lines. But safeguarding calendars, so we can have extended the environment was not always a partisan classroom discussions and debates. matter. The Environmental Protection Teachers need this latitude to help their Agency was established during the Nixon People want a better life and a better students develop the confidence to make administration, and President Richard future. But we need the means. That is their voices heard, the courage to Nixon planted a tree on the South Lawn of why it is so important that individuals— challenge injustice, and knowledge of the the White House to recognize the first Earth not just the most powerful—have a levers that can bring about change. Day. The Senate passed the Clean Air Act in voice in our democracy. Young voters All this is necessary to prepare this and 1970 without a single nay vote. increasingly name protecting the future generations to address the In the decades since, environmental environment as one of their top enormous crises of our age—extreme regulations and enforcement have helped concerns. People too young to vote are economic inequality; dangerous assaults clean up rivers so polluted with toxins that raising their voices in other ways— on our democracy; polarization, bigotry, they once caught on fire, and reduced walking out in climate strikes, standing bullying, and divisiveness; and, as this smog and acid rain. Wind and solar energy up, and speaking out. issue of American Educator explores, are booming. Cleaning up our environ- Young people recognize the urgency existential climate change. ment is not a choice between jobs and the of the climate crisis that their elders In one of the largest youth-led environment. As new green technologies failed to summon. We must join them— demonstrations in history, the Global show, we can grow the economy, sustain pushing for bold political and policy Climate Strike in September galvanized good jobs, and save our planet. initiatives to reverse climate change and millions of activists worldwide to take to The disastrous effects of climate change reduce the intertwining issue of economic the streets for climate action. It was started are outpacing policy changes to combat inequality. Our youth have lit a spark and by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, led by them. Corporations and opponents of given us a beacon of hope. We must follow thousands of students, and supported by government regulations have leveraged their lead. AMERICAN EDUCATOR | WINTER 2019–2020 1 Download this issue for free at www.aft.org/ae. VOL. 43, NO. 4 | WINTER 2019–2020 www.aft.org /ae OUR MISSION TheAmerican Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions TEACHING CLIMATE CHANGE fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, 4 Teaching Climate Change collective bargaining and political What Educators Should Know and Can Do activism, and especially through the work By Daniel P. Shepardson and Andrew S. Hirsch our members do. We must ensure that students understand how human activity, especially the RANDI WEINGARTEN burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming and climate change, and what all President LORRETTA JOHNSON of us—citizens, elected officials, and policymakers—can do to save the planet. Secretary-Treasurer EVELYN DEJESUS Executive Vice President 14 Science Teachers in the the dire consequences of global JENNIFER DUBIN Hot Seat warming and learn how they—and Managing Editor Climate Change Education in a people throughout the world—can LUKE STEELE Polarized Society take action. Editorial Coordinator SEAN LISHANSKY By Glenn Branch Copyeditor 22 Teaching a Short Story (or JENNIFER CHANG Legislative and political efforts to Stories) about the Climate Crisis Art Director undermine the teaching of climate JENNIFER BERNEY change underscore the need to 23 Bringing a Literacy Focus Graphic Designer increase opportunities for teachers RACHEL ANDERSON into the Science Classroom Production Assistant to learn about climate science and How Complex Texts Can Help ways of teaching it effectively. AMERICAN EDUCATOR (ISSN 0148-432X, USPS 008-462) By Linda Friedrich, Willard is published quarterly by the American Federation of Brown, and Heather Howlett Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 18 Climate Change in the 20001-2079. Phone: 202-879-4400. www.aft.org Classroom Because the study of science Letters to the editor may be sent to the address above requires engagement with various or to [email protected].