Proposed social studies standards attract national attention
The State Board of Education (SBOE) approved streamlining of social studies standards on a first reading, or preliminary vote Sept. 14.
The final vote on the kindergarten through 12th grade standards will occur at the Nov. 13-16 meeting. Over the past year, work groups made up primarily of educators and the board have looked for ways to shorten the standards .
“The goal of streamlining is to ensure the standards are focused on only the knowledge and skills that are essential in each course or grade level,” said SBOE Chair Donna Bahorich. “Streamlining should produce fewer and clearer standards that are teachable in the time allotted without diluting the rigor of the standards.”
But which historical figures and events are considered essential in social studies is challenging and has produced a nationwide debate this month.
While none of the 54 people who provided public testimony during a Sept. 11 hearing spoke about proposed changes related to Hillary Clinton or Helen Keller, many citizens registered concern following the meeting on Friday.
The exact change that involves Keller would eliminate her from a list of illustrative examples in a third-grade standard that says:
“Identify historical figures such as Helen Keller and Clara Barton and contemporary figures such as Ruby Bridges and military and first responders who exemplify good citizenship.”
Clinton and Barry Goldwater would be removed from a list of illustrative examples found in a high school U.S. History standard.
That standard, as approved on first reading, says: “evaluate the contributions of significant political and social leaders in the United States such as Andrew Carnegie, Thurgood Marshall, Billy Graham and Barry Goldwater, Sandra Day O’Connor. and Hillary Clinton.
Bahorich noted that both a prominent Republican and a prominent Democrat were removed from this particular standard. “It was not a partisan recommendation by the work committees.” As illustrative examples, none of these individuals are required to be taught under the current standards.
The board did not accept some of the work groups’ recommendations such as the suggestion to delete a specific reference to Travis’ letter written while under siege in the Alamo as well as the suggestion to delete the word “heroic” when describing the Alamo heroes.
Instead the board unanimously voted to include this revised language to the seventh-grade Texas history standards: "Explain the issues surrounding significant events of the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of Gonzales, the siege of the Alamo, William B. Travis's letter 'To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World,' and the heroism of the diverse defenders who gave their lives there; the Constitutional Convention of 1836; Fannin's surrender at Goliad; and the Battle of San Jacinto."
The board also responded to public input by changing key language emphasizing slavery as the central cause of the Civil War required in both 5th and 8th grade history. The proposed standards will read as follows:
Bahorich said, “I appreciate the hard work of all those who served on the social studies work groups. We simply could not have streamlined our social studies standards without their expertise and tireless help. The board accepted the vast majority of their recommendations, but the board felt the need to insert the Travis letter and the word “heroism” in teaching the Alamo and respond to public comment on Civil War causes, in particular. The public also has additional time to help the board before our standards are finalized at the November meeting.”
Grade 5 - identify the central role of the expansion of slavery in causing the Civil War and other contributing factors, including sectionalism and states' rights, and the effects of the Civil War, including Reconstruction and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Grade 8 - explain the causes of the Civil War, particularly the central role of the expansion of slavery and other contributing factors, including sectionalism and states' rights
There will be a 30-day formal public comment period on all the draft social studies standards, beginning no later than Oct. 12. The draft rules and directions for providing written comment will be posted at https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Laws_and_Rules/SBOE_Rules_(TAC)/Proposed_State_Board_of_Education_Rules/ .