History

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how history is taught

Explainer

Image of books on history.
Who Decides What History We Teach? An Explainer
Education Week breaks down how politics has long been embedded in this decision, and how new laws may affect the process.
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Blue comic book strip with the word WOW! in red in the center.
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Teaching 4 Ways to Use Comics and Graphic Novels to Engage Students
A social studies teacher uses comics to make history feel relevant to his high school students.
Alyson Klein, July 5, 2023
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4 min read
Teachers walk out onto a field of speech bubble shaped holes.
Collage by Vanessa Solis/Education Week (Images: iStock/Getty Images)
Social Studies Social Studies Groups Are Training Teachers to Navigate 'Divisive Concepts' Laws
They're teaching how to defend the discipline against charges of indoctrination and maintain quality despite curricular restrictions.
Sarah Schwartz, June 8, 2023
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8 min read
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Social Studies Q&A Amid Public School Restrictions, 'Freedom Schools' in Florida Will Teach Black History
In St. Petersburg, Fla., a summer program focuses on the diverse histories of Africans and African Americans.
Ileana Najarro, June 5, 2023
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5 min read
In this May 1943 photo, Aiko Sumoge, an assistant teacher, leads a kindergarten class to sing an English folk song at the internment relocation center for Japanese Americans in Tule Lake, Ca., in during World War II. Roughly 120,000 Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans were sent to desolate camps that dotted the West because the government claimed they might plot against the U.S. Thousands were elderly, disabled, children or infants too young to know the meaning of treason. Two-thirds were citizens.
In this May 1943 photo, Aiko Sumoge, an assistant teacher, leads a kindergarten class in singing an English folk song at the internment relocation center for Japanese Americans in Tule Lake, Ca., during World War II. Roughly 120,000 Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans were sent to desolate camps that dotted the West because the government claimed they might plot against the U.S. Thousands were elderly, disabled, children or infants too young to know the meaning of treason. Two-thirds were citizens.
AP
Social Studies Americans Know Few Key Asian American and Pacific Islander History Moments, Survey Finds
There is growing demand for schools to teach more Asian American and Pacific Islander history.
Ileana Najarro, May 26, 2023
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1 min read
Image of the word history behind torn paper.
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Social Studies Florida Is Latest State to Require Teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander History
Advocacy groups and individuals question how AAPI history will be taught in Florida schools given the state's current political environment.
Ileana Najarro, May 26, 2023
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5 min read
Image of a stack of books.
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Social Studies Latino History Is U.S. History. High School Textbooks Neglect It
Including Latino history is an issue of representation, but also about "filling a gap of foundational knowledge,” a report concludes.
Sarah Schwartz, May 16, 2023
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8 min read
The distorted reflection and shadows of pedestrians walking on a public sidewalk
Niall Majury/iStock/Getty images plus<br/><br/>
Social Studies Opinion History Teachers Deserve Respect
If we want to improve student scores in history, we need to treat it like a discipline that deserves respect.
Zachary Cote, May 15, 2023
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4 min read
Flag of United States and opened book
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Social Studies Understanding the Sharp Drop in History and Civics NAEP Scores: 4 Things to Know
Knowing about these trends in social studies education helps put the new NAEP results in context.
Sarah Schwartz, May 4, 2023
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6 min read
Keesha Ceran of Teaching for Change participates in the Freedom to Learn rally in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. Demonstrators and speakers gathered to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regards to education, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Keesha Ceran of Teaching for Change participates in the Freedom to Learn rally in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Demonstrators and speakers gathered to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regards to education, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Equity & Diversity Demonstrations Staged Nationwide Denounce Restrictions on Teaching, Book Bans
On May 3, education and civil rights leaders led rallies and teach-ins against efforts to limit race discussions in public education.
Ileana Najarro & Eesha Pendharkar, May 3, 2023
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6 min read
Illustration of a book, a globe, and a compass.
Laura Baker/EdWeek via Canva
Social Studies Opinion How To Fix the Shockingly Low NAEP History and Civic Scores
We need more civics and history in literacy lessons and more deliberate literacy instruction in civics and history, argues Susan Pimentel.
Susan Pimentel, May 3, 2023
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5 min read
Photo of students taking exam on laptops.
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Student Achievement History Achievement Falls to 1990s Levels on NAEP; Civics Scores Take First-Ever Dive
Eighth graders' scores in U.S. history and civics dropped on the test known as the “Nation’s Report Card."
Sarah Schwartz, May 3, 2023
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8 min read
Emmitt Glynn teaches AP African American studies to a group of Baton Rouge Magnet High School students on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge Magnet High School in Louisiana is one of 60 schools around the country testing the new course, which has gained national attention since it was banned in Florida.
Emmitt Glynn teaches AP African American studies to a group of Baton Rouge Magnet High School students on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 in Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge Magnet High School in Louisiana is one of 60 schools around the country testing the new course, which has gained national attention since it was banned in Florida.
Stephen Smith/AP
Social Studies From Our Research Center Despite Obstacles, Educators Find a Way to Teach Black History
A new EdWeek Research Center survey found a slim majority of educators devote some or a lot of time to teaching Black history.
Ileana Najarro, April 26, 2023
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5 min read
Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's rejection of a high school African American history course, on Feb. 15, 2023 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's rejection of a high school African American history course, on Feb. 15, 2023 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP
Social Studies Interactive Map: Where Is Black History Instruction Required
An EdWeek Research Center survey found many teachers said their state does not require instruction on Black history.
Ileana Najarro, April 26, 2023
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2 min read
Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's rejection of a high school African American history course, on Feb. 15, 2023 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's rejection of a high school African American history course, on Feb. 15, 2023 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Alicia Devine /Tallahassee Democrat via AP
Social Studies The College Board Plans to Change AP African American Studies, Details Unclear
The news of changes to the course comes months after debates around whether the course was watered down or too inclusive.
Ileana Najarro, April 25, 2023
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1 min read
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