1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What does Arkansas state law Act 911 require?

3. Why won’t the law cost the schools any money?

4. For what reason did Rep. Jim Dotson propose the law?

5. a) What groups are opposed to the law? For what reasons are they opposed?
b) These groups have said they will fight the law. What do you think?

6. The bill passed in the Arkansas House 78-1 and in the Senate 20-2. What does that tell you about Arkansas voters’ view of the bill?

7. “In God We Trust” is our national motto. Several and/or hundreds of police departments across the country put bumper stickers with the national motto on patrol cars. Oklahoma and Florida have similar laws pending for their schools and public buildings.

The sponsor of the Florida bill, Rep. Kim Daniels (D-Jacksonville), said Florida needed the legislation, given the goings on in the state. HB 839, which passed the House by an overwhelming margin of 97-10, would allow “In God We Trust,” the state motto, to be displayed in schools. The week after the shooting at Parkland’s Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, Daniels said she sees the motto as a symbol of hope that could inspire students:

“Few would disagree with me that God is positive. He’s not a Republican and He’s not a Democrat. He’s not black and He’s not white. He is the light. And our schools need light in them like never before,” Daniels said on the chamber floor.

What is your reaction to Rep. Daniels remarks?