Microscopes, Slides and Lenses For Sale

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:

A phenomenon is upon us”albeit unintended” as a result of our focus on testing in schools. It is called curriculum narrowing. This consequence can be defined as a shift in focus to tested subjects like reading, writing and math, at the expense of non-tested subjects like social studies, science, PE, and the arts.

Instead of providing more options for students, districts are narrowing what has always been important in education”to teach kids about the world they live in and their place in it. Cutting back time spent on social studies could have consequences we will regret later”like a lack of common background knowledge and vocabulary so essential to our living and working together in a democracy.

If students of lower social-economic status are to have a base to succeed in a global economy, it is critical they receive the foundation taught through social studies in elementary school. For those middle or upper class students, a limited program in school will most likely result in less experiential learning, with the outcome that these students become bored and uninterested in school at an early age.

Unintended Consequences:

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.

The public school system has a big opportunity to prepare students for a successful personal and societal future by helping them understand that everyone contributes in either a positive or negative way to the society as a whole. It is true that different cultures value things in a different way, and so success is relative in that regard. However, being able to build a common ground in the elementary years through social studies is essential to the success of a society.

Value 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.

Academic achievement has an extremely high correlation to cultural literacy according to a research project conducted by E.D. Hirsch in 1996. Further, annual income is a significant contributing factor to cultural literacy.

Hirsch goes on to describe Thomas Jeffersons conception of the need for cultural literacy that has been supported by such education greats as Horace Mann and John Dewey. Jefferson said, democracy required a common school to provide all children equally with the knowledge and skills that would keep them economically independent and free.

Boosting Background Knowledge and Vocabulary Critical to Student Success:

According to psychological research, it is much easier to learn a new concept if you are able to connect that concept to something you already know. Said another way, knowledge builds on knowledge. As upper and middle class students start school with a larger knowledge base than those in lower economic circumstances, low SES children are behind from the start. Cutting social studies in schools will only add to the deficit in background knowledge and vocabulary.

Social studies programs give students the knowledge necessary to successfully survive in a society. What goal is more crucial that that? Of course math, writing and reading are skills everyone needs to learn! However, skills in those areas will be wasted if we cant apply them through our successful place in society.

Public Ramifications:

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.

It is common understanding that can unite us. Social studies is the venue through which we learn many of these common understandings. To cut it back will only lead to more disparity among the haves and have nots in our country. Where is the social justice in that?

Donna Newberg Long, aka Principal Donna has been in education for over 20 years. As the founding principal of 2 schools, she brings a wealth 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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