Talking to your students about National Walkout Day

Today, many students in schools across the country are planning a walkout in response to the Parkland shooting. Some schools are supportive of the walkout; some are not. Some administrators and teachers are worried that kids will use the opportunity to skip class, while others are concerned about losing class time. Meanwhile, it is likely that many students will just know that people might walk out of the building for a while at 10 am. 

While as teachers it is not our place to tell students what to believe, there is information we can share with kids so that the walkout is a learning experience, and not just a disruption to the school day. One of the primary goals of public education was to create an informed electorate. National Walkout Day provides an opportunity to work towards that goal. 

Here is some information you can share to make this experience meaningful for students who participate, and students who choose not to. 

1. What is National Walkout Day?
Students will likely be aware of the Parkland tragedy, but some might not know about National Walkout Day. Students should know that most events will include 17 minutes of silence to commemorate the 17 lives lost in the shooting. They might also be interested to know that other entities are also participating. Some TV networks, including MTV, will stop their regular programming for 17 minutes.  This isn't just a commemoration, however. The walkout was organized to pressure Congress to change gun legislation. 

The New York Times had a good article this morning with general information about the movement and also some background information that could be helpful to share. 

​2. What rights do students have?
Students should know that they have the right to protest. They also need to understand that they can receive any penalty that would normally be imposed for skipping class. If your school has indicated that kids will not be punished, you can share that information with them. 

The TED-Ed blog has a very helpful FAQ about student rights in the context of protest. 

3. What is the point of protest?
Protest and dissent are healthy aspects of our democracy. Instead of focusing on today's protest, you can show the powerful role protests play in strengthening democracies. Zachariah Mampilly has an excellent TED talk on protests in African countries. Even if you have some students who are against this specific protest, they can benefit from this event by acquiring a better understanding of protests. 

4. What are your students passionate about? 
If students say they are not passionate about anything, think about a time you heard them complain. Do they think the dress code is stupid? Do they think there are too many standardized tests? Help them formulate an opinion around these complaints and think about constructive avenues for change. 

5. What ideas do your students have about school safety? 
If you have a strong rapport with your class and have successfully facilitated discussions about controversial topics, ask your students the ideas they have about school safety. Focusing on what they think will work instead of what they think will NOT work is a good way to keep conversations productive. 

Too often teachers shy away from controversy at the expense of our students. One of our goals as educators should be to help students think critically and become active participants in our democracy. The National Walkout Day is controversial, but talking about protest and dissent does not need to be. 
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