They have not been trained to be robots. Critical thinking, presentation, and drama teaches that you have everyone else's back.

And for personal growth, things I learned in those types of classes. Good point.

They seem full to bursting with understanding.

I read here on DU about one teacher who discussed civil rights and gun issues including the power of the NRA even on the day of the attack.

"Part of the reason the Stoneman Douglas students have become stars in recent weeks is in no small part due to the fact that they are in a school system that boasts, for example, of a “system-wide debate program that teaches extemporaneous speaking from an early age.” Every middle and high school in the district has a forensics and public-speaking program. Coincidentally, some of the students at Stoneman Douglas had been preparing for debates on the issue of gun control this year, which explains in part why they could speak to the issues from day one."

I've seen what happens when somebody armed with what they think are a few good sound bites from RW sites goes up against a prepared and experienced debater. The debaters know their arguments and also their opponent's arguments better than they do. They have researched each of those arguments for hours. They know every study, counter-study, and the methodologies. The debater also knows how to be persuasive, calm under fire, and which arguments make the most difference in a limited time. Throwing bumper-sticker arguments at them isn't going to be effective.

that very morning on interest groups -- including the NRA.

He gave the kids assignment on school shootings. So they had been critically thinking about them and how the NRA manipulates people. On the day it happened too!

In other areas also.

And History!

And on the same day as the attack, the lesson the teacher taught? How interest groups work, including the NRA.

have responded. They have really changed the discourse in this country!