Following I will list a broad overview of topics that are supposed to be taught in Social Studies in Texas as well as in other states of the U.S. It includes early grades, middle grades, and high school:
I. Culture
II. Time, Continuity, and Change
III. People, Places, and Environments
IV. Individual Development and Indentity
V. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
VI. Power, Authority, and Governance
VII. Production, Distribution, and Consumption
VIII. Science, Technology, and Society
IX. Global Connections
X. Civic Ideals and Practices
Generally, at the high school level, students take a broad variety of classes without special emphasis in a particular subject. For passing a classe some states consider 65 (on a 100-point scale), while others consider it to be as low as 60 or as high as 75.In social sciences students usally take various history, government and economics courses.State and local government have primary responsibility for education. The Federal Department of Education plays a role in standards setting and education finance. In Texas, the TEA (The Texas Education Agency) is responsible for public education and school curriculums.
The following document shows part of the proposed revisions to the social studies as approved by the State Board of Education on May 21, 2010:
(1) In United States Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and governmental content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. Students learn major political ideas and forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional democratic republic society, and analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government issue.
(http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=3643)
On May 21th the Texas State Board of Education approved new standards for textbooks and teaching history, economics and other social studies classes that will take effect in August 2011. The new standards stand for a greater focus on the Biblical and Christian traditions of the founding fathers. Some other changes affect the teaching of free market principles and taxation.
This decision caused a great dicusssion that is sumarized in the following video:
What do you think?
First of all, I want to say that I really like the design of your blog. It makes the people read through it!
AntwortenLöschenI like your post, Ramona, because it shows very well how history is taught in US schools which I really find interesting. It's good to teach unaware young people their own history.
I can't understand why Texas would want to rewrite a history book so that it will show more biblical and Christian values. There is a reason that their is the seperation between church and state. But then again, it is Texas.
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