69ý

School & District Management

Some Fret as Congress Passes Measures on History, Civics Education

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo — January 04, 2005 2 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

History and civics education got a boost under two measures passed by Congress in its lame-duck session last month. But while the bills drew praise for focusing attention on the importance of those subjects, critics say that they amount to a federal intrusion into curriculum, and fear that one of them promotes controversial views of the nation’s history and role in the world.

The first measure, the American History and Civics Education Act, could pump millions of dollars into the teaching of the subjects, by supporting summer academies for a few hundred teachers and students over four years.

Sen. Robert C.Byrd

The second was a last-minute clause added to the 3,000-page domestic-spending bill by Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It requires all schools receiving federal aid to teach students about the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17 each year. That day, Constitution Day, is the anniversary of the signing of the document in 1787.

At a time when the federal No Child Left Behind Act is being blamed for squeezing social studies subjects out of the curriculum as schools spend more time on tested subjects—reading, mathematics, and eventually science—some educators say the attention is welcome.

“I see these as small steps in the right direction,” said Jesus Garcia, the president of the National Council for the Social Studies, in Silver Spring, Md. “They are a positive sign that people are certainly talking about the need for social studies, history, [and] civics education in the curriculum.”

But he acknowledged that the two measures may have a limited impact, given the small number of academy participants expected each year and the single-day focus on the Constitution.

Different Worldviews

Sen. Lamar Alexander

Some conservative interest groups have been battling the history and civics act since it was introduced by Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., last year. They argue that the initiative promotes a controversial civics curriculum that does not stress U.S. sovereignty and that focuses on educating students to be global citizens.

“It is a radical curriculum with a veneer of patriotism,” said Julie M. Quist, the vice president of the Chaska, Minn.-based EdWatch, which opposes a federally controlled system of education.

But Alexia Poe, a spokeswoman for Sen. Alexander, said the legislation does not endorse, promote, or require the curriculum—written by the Center for Civics Education in Calabasas, Calif.—the groups oppose. In fact, the bill, which President Bush signed on Dec. 21, does not identify any specific content for the academies.

The program is modeled after the “governor’s schools” created by Mr. Alexander when he was the governor of Tennessee in the 1980s.

A version of this article appeared in the January 05, 2005 edition of Education Week as Some Fret as Congress Passes Measures on History, Civics Education

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69ý
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

School & District Management 69ý Want Results When They Spend Big Money. Here's How They're Getting Them
Tying spending to outcomes is a goal many district leaders have. A new model for purchase contracts could make it easier.
7 min read
Illustration of scales balancing books on one end and coins on another.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Reports Strategic Resourcing for K-12 Education: A Work in Progress
This report highlights key findings from surveys of K-12 administrators and product/service providers to shed light on the alignment of purchasing with instructional goals.
School & District Management Download Shhhh!!! It's Underground Spirit Week, Don't Tell the 69ý
Try this fun twist on the Spirit Week tradition.
Illustration of shushing emoji.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Opinion How My Experience With Linda McMahon Can Help You Navigate the Trump Ed. Agenda
I have a lesson for district leaders from my (limited) interactions with Trump’s pick for ed. secretary, writes a former superintendent.
Joshua P. Starr
4 min read
Vector illustration of people walking on upward arrows, symbolizing growth, progress, and teamwork towards success.
iStock/Getty Images