Research

In 2026, the U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.6 births per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate. This reflects a larger global trend affecting nearly two-thirds of the world. As birth rates decline, the U.S. faces a shrinking workforce, aging population, and growing pressure on programs like Medicare and Social Security. In this inquiry, students grapple with the factors behind declining birth rates and consider what these trends might mean for the future. 

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In 2026, the U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.6 births per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate. This reflects a larger global trend affecting nearly two-thirds of the world. As birth rates decline, the U.S. faces a shrinking workforce, aging population, and growing pressure on programs like Medicare and Social…

While political promises are not a new phenomenon, the scale of change required by the New Deal to address Great Depression problems was unprecedented. This inquiry requires students to compare the vision shared by FDR in his inaugural address and fireside chat with the programs and initiatives enacted by the New Deal.

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