LITTLE ROCK
A newly revised social studies curriculum for Arkansas’
school children will cut the amount of time devoted to state history for
elementary and high school students, historians warned.
The new curriculum, set to begin this fall, combine social
studies and ArkansasArkansas
history has taught. history into
one subject for kindergartners through sixth graders. The curriculum also
requires teaching world history in seventh and eighth grade typically the time
“I’m just astonished and appalled,” said Jeannie
Whayne, chairman of the history department at the University
of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
“It’s a devastating blow to Arkansas
history.”
Forty-four educators devised the curriculum, which must be
revised every six years.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Education defended
the changes as a means to strengthen education for all.
“We do believe Arkansas
history is important for our students and the intent … was certainly not to
water down any standards,” Julie Johnson Thompson said.
