News & Observer editorial for February 10, 2010:
Who knew that high school history had such a vocal constituency? A proposal to alter the state’s public school U.S. history curriculum touched off a broadside worthy of Old Ironsides. Much of the criticism, however, is just smoke and noise.
Contrary to a hyperbolic Fox News report, North Carolina’s schools aren’t about to erase George Washington and Abraham Lincoln from the textbooks and lesson plans. In some ways, the state Department of Public Instruction’s tentative proposals for revising the mandatory history curriculum have merit, or, at least, fall into the good-try-but-no-dice category.
News & Observer editorial for October 15, 2010:
The people have spoken, and some of them were leaders in the North Carolina legislature and some were parents and some were ordinary citizens who were just mad. What’s important is that officials of the state Department of Public Instruction listened to and acted on feedback. They are due credit for that.
[Snip]
Politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, were not happy with what appeared to be an inclination to cut back on history courses. Neither was Dr. Holly Brewer, a professor of history at N.C. State University, who helped organize opposition to the original plans. Brewer has signaled her approval of the changes, which is significant.
By the way, I analyzed the proposed curriculum in this week’s education newsletter. Don’t receive it? Sign up here.
