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 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.Social Studies Texas Board Adopts Measure on Religious Bias in TextbooksThe Texas state board of education narrowly adopted a nonbinding resolution warning textbook publishers from promoting an "anti-Christian/pro-Islamic" bias in classroom materials.Social Studies Texas State Board Debates Resolution on 'Pro-Islamic' Bias in TextbooksThe Texas resolution appeared to have the backing of at least several social conservatives on the state board of education.Social Studies Criticism of Texas Social Studies Standards Overblown, Analyst SaysThe new Texas social studies standards are "for the most part conventional and inclusive," despite the controversy, an analyst concludes.Social Studies GED: A College Pathway That Few CompleteIt's pretty well established by now that despite its nickname, the GED is not a "high school equivalency test." Young people who earn a General Educational Development certificate don't fare as well in earnings or in postsecondary education as those who graduate from high school.Social Studies Obama to Students: Work Hard, Take Pride in DifferencesYou've probably heard about Obama's back to school speech (transcript here, video here, our PK-12 blog post here). Steering clear of the controversy sparked by last year's speech, he urged students to dream big and write their own destinies, no matter how difficult their current circumstances may be. Anything is within reach with hard work and attention to one's studies, he said. He recounted that he was "kind of a goof-off" in high school, and his mom had to sit him down and exhort him to apply himself. He even worked in an anti-bullying plea for tolerance.Social Studies School District Turns Down Tea Party Offer of Free Copies of ConstitutionSchool officials decline offer by local "tea party" to provide free copies of the U.S. Constitution to students.Social Studies Ed. Dept. Unveils New Round of Teaching U.S. History GrantsMore than a hundred school districts are getting federal aid to promote the teaching of American history.