Imagine adults who have not learned about history, civics, economics and geography while they were in elementary school. Imagine a future where our diverse heritage is not taught in schools. Where will we find ourselves if our diverse people do not find common ground? Well folks, this is happening today in the aftermath of No Child Left Behind.
Program Reduction:
We are experiencing unintended circumstances as an outgrowth of the concentration on testing in our schools. This is commonly referred to as curriculum narrowing. The outcome is a shift in attention to subjects that are heavily tested such as writing, reading and math, at the detriment of those subjects like social studies, PE, the arts and science that are not tested.
Many school districts are narrowing their curriculums rather than providing more opportunities for students to learn about society and their role in it. Since understanding our common background and the traditions of a democratic society are critical to a successful society, limiting the time spent in elementary school on social studies and related subjects will have unpleasant repercussions we will regret later on.
It is critical, particularly for those students in a lower social status, to receive the foundational support provided by social studies curriculums needed to compete in a global economy. For those students coming from the middle or upper social classes, it has been found that limiting the experiential learning opportunities to focus on more tested subjects results in these students to become bored and disinterested in participating in school at a high level.
Inadvertent By-Product:
Curriculum narrowing has resulted in more than usual white upper and middle class children attending private or charter schools still committed to providing meaningful social studies and science curriculums. It is quite possible that this action is contributing to the re-emergence of segregated urban public schools in our country.
Public schools have a monumental opportunity to provide all students with an understanding of the value of their contribution to society and to their success in creating futures that they deem appropriate. Different cultures value different things, and success is relative to who we are as people. Still, building common ground is essential through the learning of social studies with peers in school.
Importance of Cultural Literacy:
A solid curriculum in social studies will result in cultural literacy. Wikipedia defines cultural literacy as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence (Wikipedia). Further, (cultural literacy) is the study of how people participate in society and how society operates. Through social inquiry children understand peoples role within society, according to Synapselearning.
E.D. Hirsch, in a research project conducted in 1996, found that Joseph Pentony and others have shown that cultural literacy is highly correlated with academic achievement. Thomas Sticht and his associates have show that the level of cultural literacy is highly correlated with annual income.
Hirsch further reported in his study the ideas of Horace Mann, John Dewey and Thomas Jefferson regarding the need for cultural literacy. democracy required a common school to provide all children equally with the knowledge and skills that would keep them economically independent and free, claimed Thomas Jefferson.
Boosting Background Knowledge and Vocabulary Critical to Student Success:
New concepts are much easier to learn when a student is able to make a connection to something they already know. In short, knowledge grows more knowledge. Since middle and upper income students have a greater knowledge base when entering school, those in lower income brackets are struggling to keep up from day one. Cutting an essential subject such as social studies will make these students have an even more difficult time in building their vocabulary and knowledge skills.
The study of social studies is important because it should provides students with the knowledge they will need to live in our society. What could be more important than that? Yes, we need to know how to read, to write, and to do math! But, if we do not know how to live well in community with others, successfully within our society, where can we rightfully apply those skills?
Social Implications:
Has the dominant white culture done a superb job of supporting the success of minority cultures in our country? No, not always! Social studies provides a foundation for discussions of the struggles of race and diversity. We need to teach culturally relevant social studies and work diligently to bridge the divides through civics and history. Current events are the purview of social studies curriculum"a powerful place to share issues and build understanding.
Understanding among the people of a society is what will bind those people together. This is accomplished through sSocial studies where students can learn early on many of these common understandings. Cutting the social studies curriculums in our schools will only lead to even more differences and misunderstanding between the divergent culures in our society, particularly in the area of socio-economic status. How can that be considered social justice?
Donna Newberg Long, aka Principal Donna has been an educator for over 20 years. As the founding principal of 2 schools, she brings a abundance of knowledge to her work with teachers, principals and boards. Donna is available for mentoring services for start ups and schools in need of support. Visit www.AskPrincipalDonna.com for more information or call 303.280.5220 to discuss your schools needs.
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