Major Changes in Education

For the past several years social studies education in public schools has been under attack.  Since testing is not federally mandated, less and less history is being taught in elementary schools.  In the secondary setting, students are pulled out social studies for extra help in reading, writing, and science.   Students needing remediation in these subjects are not exposed to necessary critical thinking skills that are unique to social studies curriculum.

According to a March 2 New York Times article, all that is starting to change.  Diane Ravitch, one of the major proponents in the NCLB movement (standardized testing, charter schools, privatization) “is in the final stages of an astonishing, slow-motion about-face on almost every stand she once took on American schooling.”  This is truly critical to the future of social studies, education, and our democratic society.