History

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

Explainer

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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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Photo illustration of black people at historic moments in time leading up to a young black student today.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + AP Photo + E+/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion America Must Confront the Black History It Teaches
How can a Black student make sense of racism as historical artifact when it remains ever present, asks Bettina L. Love.
Bettina L. Love, February 9, 2023
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3 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 What Will Be Taught in College Board's AP African American Studies? Here's a Sample
While there is public outcry over what is not found in the new course, and why, here's a look at some required topics in place.
Ileana Najarro, February 3, 2023
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9 min read
Illustration of many hands are raised against a giant hand stopping them
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Equity & Diversity Opinion Educators, We Must Defend AP African American Studies
In an open letter to colleagues, a former Florida educator urges teachers to speak out. "No one will save us."
Monika Williams Shealey , February 2, 2023
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5 min read
In this June 23, 1963, file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King joins Detroit's Freedom March. During the critical era of the 1950s and '60s, King, who led the 250,000-strong March on Washington in 1963, and Malcolm X were colossal 20th century figures, representing two different tracks: mass non-violent protest and getting favorable outcomes "by any means necessary."
In this June 23, 1963, file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King joins Detroit's Freedom March. During the critical civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s, King, who led the 250,000-strong March on Washington in 1963, and Malcolm X, were colossal 20th century figures, representing two different tracks: mass non-violent protest and getting favorable outcomes "by any means necessary."
AP
Social Studies College Board Releases AP African American Studies Framework, Runs Into Anti-CRT Laws
The new AP course recently made headlines after Florida officials banned the pilot course in the state for allegedly defying state law.
Ileana Najarro, February 1, 2023
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6 min read
Illustration of a pair of hands gently holding a vase filled with vibrant red flowers.
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion How to Teach Black History: A Resource List
Here are some books, websites, databases, and podcasts to deepen your students’ Black history knowledge—and your own.
LaGarrett J. King , Greg Simmons & Dawnavyn M. James, January 31, 2023
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5 min read
Illustration of black faces looking out from behind vibrant blooming flowers.
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Five Questions for Building Your Black History Program
Schools and districts must do better to highlight the importance of dedicated Black history instruction.
LaGarrett J. King , January 31, 2023
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6 min read
Illustration of the map of Africa casting a shadow on documents and opened books.
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Africana Studies Can Save Education—and the World
The goal of our dominant education framework is to produce workers, not whole, self-actualized human beings. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Ismael Jimenez, January 31, 2023
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4 min read
Illustration of a low perspective view looking up inside a massive cavern with an ominous shadow ahead.
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion We Don't Teach Enough About Black Fear in U.S. History
Here’s what I learned researching social studies standards: Teaching about Black fear drastically challenges popular narratives of U.S. history.
Brittany L. Jones , January 31, 2023
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4 min read
Illustration of a young Black girl raising her hand in class.
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Black History Belongs in Early Elementary School
Here’s how to integrate Black history into the early elementary school curriculum—and why you should.
Wintre Foxworth Johnson, January 31, 2023
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4 min read
013023 v42 21OP BlackHistory Lead share image
Xia Gordon for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Urgency of Black History: A Collection
A strong Black history program is about more than building a curriculum; it’s about building citizens. Here’s where to start.
January 31, 2023
Attorney Ben Crump, left, stands with the three Leon County, Fla., high school students who are threatening to file a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration over the ban of a proposed Advanced Placement course on African America Studies in Florida high schools, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla.
Attorney Ben Crump, left, stands with the three Leon County, Fla., high school students who last week threatened to sue Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration over a ban of a proposed AP African American Studies course.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP
Social Studies AP African American Studies: What's Next for the Course
Florida’s ban of a pilot AP Black history course drew protests, threats of lawsuits, and a lukewarm response from the College Board.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 30, 2023
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2 min read
A large crowd gathers on the fourth floor rotunda of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., for the "Stop the Black Attack" rally, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Attorney Ben Crump threatened to file a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and his administration amid the ban of a proposed Advanced Placement course on African America Studies in Florida high schools on behalf of three Leon County, Fla., school students.
A large crowd gathers on the fourth floor rotunda of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., for the "Stop the Black Attack" rally, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Attorney Ben Crump threatened to file a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and his administration amid the ban of a proposed Advanced Placement course on African America Studies in Florida high schools on behalf of three Leon County, Fla., school students.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP
Social Studies College Board: No State Has Sway Over Final Version of AP African American Studies
College Board effectively told its members that it will not consider input from states or districts when releasing the final version of the pilot Black history class that Florida banned.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 26, 2023
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3 min read
Illustration of stock photo details of train tracks of The Westerbork transit camp in the Netherlands.
Detail of train tracks at the Westerbork transit camp in the Netherlands, where Jews were deported to killing centers and concentration camps by the Germans between 1942-1945.
Vanessa Solis/EdWeek + iStock/Getty
Social Studies Opinion Teaching the Holocaust Is Daunting—But Critical
It's not enough to relate the facts; students need to consider the roles of perpetrators and bystanders.
Deborah Lauter, January 26, 2023
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3 min read
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. DeSantis' administration has blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African-American studies from being taught in high schools, saying the class violates state law and that it is historically inaccurate.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term on Jan. 3 in Tallahassee, Fla. DeSantis' administration has blocked a new high school Advanced Placement course on African-American studies, claiming it violates state law.
Lynne Sladky/AP
Social Studies Florida's Ban on AP African American Studies, Explained
Florida high schoolers will not be able to take an AP Black history course, after the course was banned for allegedly being inaccurate and illegal.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 24, 2023
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7 min read
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