Thank you to schools that teach current events

You may have watched a cable news or late-night show where a reporter talks to men and women on the street to ask basic questions -- questions such as "Who is the vice president of the United States?" and other bits of information that should be easy questions. Our numbers show more people continue to engage with the Southeast Missourian. Sadly, there are those who don't follow the news.

So it's good to read stories about young people who are studying current events, even if it means they receive a course grade by doing so.

Southeast Missourian reporter Ruth Campbell wrote a story for the Sept. 18 edition about local schools that encourage high school students to follow current events.

James Brake, a teacher at Cape Girardeau Central High School, teaches a contemporary issues course. He asks his students to read and watch news clips, write a summary and discuss. At Notre Dame Regional High School, a similar course is taught, and the teacher challenges the students in critical thinking.

"What we try to do first is separate fact from opinion. That's a big thing that I talk about. That's a big thing that the kids talk about, too, is knowing what is real" and knowing what's hearsay, educator Kirk Boeller said.

If you missed the story, visit semissourian.com to read about what these schools and others teach to help students become informed.

Sure, we are in the news business and want people to read and watch our coverage. But it's more than that. It's about conveying facts and providing perspective. Shining a light on the bad things and pointing to that which is good. Helping people become more informed and engaged with their surroundings. That's what we at the Southeast Missourian strive to do, and it's good to see schools encourage their students to begin this important habit of following the news.