SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – A new survey from the University of Illinois Springfield reveals wide inconsistencies in how Illinois public high schools are implementing the state’s three-year-old media literacy mandate.

Under a 2021 law — the first of its kind in the nation — high schools must teach students a “unit of instruction” on media literacy, starting with the 2022-2023 school year. But the UIS survey found significant variation in how schools interpret that mandate. About a third of educators said they teach media literacy for up to one week, while another 29% cover it for more than three weeks. Sixteen percent said the topic is limited to just one class period annually.

The law allows local districts flexibility in how to deliver the content, which includes evaluating media messages, identifying bias, and accessing credible information. But experts say the lack of funding, oversight, and consistent guidelines has led to uneven student experiences.

“Some schools treat media literacy as a true integrated curriculum, while others barely scratch the surface,” said Yonty Friesem, co-founder of the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition. “We’re not seeing the impact we hoped for.”

In Springfield and across the state, some educators say they are doing their best to embed media literacy across disciplines, but they acknowledge that without additional support, not every student is reached.

Critics also point to the law’s lack of dedicated funding for teacher training and professional development. “It’s basically an unfunded mandate,” said Heather Danek, a teacher at Minooka Community High School. “If you want it to be effective, there needs to be investment.”

The issue has also stirred political debate. The 2021 legislation passed largely along party lines, with most Republican lawmakers objecting to statewide curriculum mandates rather than the concept itself.

Despite challenges, media literacy advocates argue the skills are essential in an era of misinformation and polarized media. “It’s about teaching students to ask questions,” said Friesem. “Media literacy isn’t about politics — it’s about critical thinking.”