Social Studies
Read more about social studies in K-12 schools, including history and civic
Revising America's Racist Past
How the 'critical race theory' debate is crashing headlong into efforts to update social studies standards.
- Social Studies History Getting Pushed Aside in Some Schools in EnglandAnd yet, student achievement in history was deemed "good or outstanding" in the majority of schools examined, according to the report by a government watchdog.Social Studies GOP Lawmakers Criticize Texas Social Studies StandardsThree influential Republicans in the Texas legislature are criticizing recently revised state standards for social studies, raising the specter that the standards could be revisited.Social Studies Panel Launched to Study Humanities and Social SciencesThe American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced the creation of a commission tasked with determining how the nation should promote and improve teaching and research in the humanities and social sciences.
Social Studies U.S. Teachers Seize 'Teachable Moments' in Egypt's RevolutionThe demonstrations that began in Egypt on Jan. 25 gave some U.S. teachers a chance to deepen their students' understanding of that region.Social Studies U.S. Teachers Find 'Teachable Moment' in Egyptian ProtestsThe demonstrations that began in Egypt on Jan. 25 gave some U.S. teachers a chance to deepen their students' understanding of that region.Social Studies Thanking a TeacherFamed poet Nikki Giovanni reflects on her wanderings through the academic disciplines, and thanks her English teacher for the sheer freedom of reading that led her to find her place.Social Studies What to Expect From the Revised AP U.S. History ProgramThe revised U.S. history program is expected to emphasize skills that enable students to "actively investigate historical events."Social Studies Revised AP Biology Course Coming, But U.S. History DelayedParts of the revised U.S. history curriculum seemed "vague," some teachers reportedly complained.Social Studies Reading Roundup: How Much Are Students Really Learning?Had enough talk about the election? Here are a few things to consider that have nothing to do with last week's events, all brought to you by teachers:Social Studies History LessonsThe Washington Post's Jay Mathews reports on an "Expectations of Integrity" code distributed by AP History teachers at a Virginia high school that essentially restricts students from using any resources outside of their course textbook and other classroom materials. The code bans students not only from using the Internet but, apparently, even from talking to their own parents or classmates about their assignments. The rationale for the policy is that it will keep students on a level playing field—but it seems reasonable to wonder, as Mathews does, whether it's really the best way to foster the spirit of historical inquiry.Social Studies History Textbook Draws Fire for Assertion on Black Confederate SoldiersThe assertion regarding African Americans is rejected by most historians.Social Studies Opinion The Trouble with "Vocational" CitizenshipAt the end of last week and again yesterday, I wrote about grim news from a new study regarding what teachers think students are learning when it comes to citizenship, and how distant our focus on education as the "new civil right" is from traditional concerns about preparing students for the rigors of citizenship.Social Studies What Do Social Studies Teachers REALLY Think?In general, high school social studies teachers in the United States say students should learn to respect and appreciate their country, but know its shortcomings.Social Studies Opinion The Limits of "Transactional" CitizenshipLast week, I talked a bit about the results of the new Farkas-Duffett study High Schools, Civics, and Citizenship: What Social Studies Teachers Think and Do. (Full disclosure: The study was commissioned and published by my shop at AEI).Social Studies Opinion High Schools, Civics, and Citizenship: What Social Studies Teachers Think and DoRemarkably little has been written about the state of citizenship education in our schools. One has to go back to the 1998 Public Agenda study "A Lot To Be Thankful For" to find a serious attempt to examine what parents think public schools should teach children about citizenship. The annual Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup poll on schooling has not asked questions about citizenship since 2000. When these questions were last addressed, respondents chose "prepar[ing] people to become responsible citizens" as the least important purpose of schooling from among those offered. And it's brutally hard to find much on what teachers think about the state of citizenship education.
