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Senate committee backs media-literacy study after testimony from librarians (HJR 59)
Summary
Representative Peter Strand introduced HJR 59 to study media literacy in K–12 schools after citing a Stanford study that found most teens failed tasks evaluating online information. Danny Hess of the Montana Library Association testified in support; the committee advanced the resolution.
Representative Peter Strand opened the hearing on House Joint Resolution 59 by citing a 02/2019 Stanford study he said tested more than 3,400 teenagers and found about 90 percent failed at least four of six tasks designed to evaluate online information. Strand argued schools should teach students how to verify sources and assess information credibility.
"So what they discovered was that 90 percent of these kids, first of all, failed the test altogether," Strand said, adding that very few students attempted to check sources in the assessment.
Danny Hess, representing the Montana Library Association, testified in support and urged the committee to include librarians in the study process because libraries and school librarians have long taught critical evaluation of sources. "Library programming, skill building opportunities, and resources have really shifted and evolved to meet those growing demands for learners of all ages," Hess said.
Committee members discussed whether the study should focus on K–12 or include adult education. Strand and other members said the study is intended to start in K–12 settings where most learners are already gathered, and that adult education could be a subsequent step.
The committee moved HJR 59 and advanced it by voice vote; the record shows Senator Mandeville recorded as voting 'no.'
