Does it matter that the facts of American history are being taught wrong in public schools or do you care?

Question

from Columbus to Jefferson to actual facts about who said what or what actually happened.
what if they teach something absolutely incorrect??
is it all that important to you....or whatever?
If you have a child in public school...should you call the school in just such a case?....or let it go?

Answer 1

You should read the book "Lies My Teacher Told Me (Everything your American History Book Got Wrong)". My college history prof used this as a required textbook in his American History classes.

Answer 2

Yes everything is being taught wrong in public schools these days and it matters!! I am an eighth grade honors student
and when I come back from school and reasearch facts on the Internet or turn to the History channel everything from
what I learned in school is wrong. Ok it actually was not Christopher Columbas who found America but Chinese
explorers in the 10th century. The U.S.A was not really the
hero country of WW2 and the whole world would have been destroyed if it was not for Russia. When the U.S bombed Hiroshima the Japanese created their own atomic bomb to
use on the U.S but Russia bombed Nagasaki leading to the Japanese surender THAT WAS LEFT OUT!! They want to
make it seem like America was this great heroic country. It was also said in the History channel that Russia finally invaded
Germany first and that was left out. And how about the revolution
America did not grow out of freedom they destroyed the people who really own this land...THE NATIVE AMERICANS.
The moon landing was also faked by the U.S and the Russians
actually did it.( And whats with being forced to do the pledge of aligence)!! Yes I am deeply disturbed that Americas faults are never recognized and I care. I want to be a Aerospace engineer and history really has nothing to do with my career but I don't want schools to leave the real facts out. Infact it seems like I get my real knowledge from Internet websites.

Answer 3

I'd love to straighten it out with the schools, but frankly they're about as responsive as the IRS to our concerns ..... And, just like any other government entity, we just have to tolerate them. However, this absolutely cool thing called the Internet is making access to truth and opinion more widely available than it has ever been throughout time. Does it matter that schools are behind the times? In a way, I suppose. But our education is bursting upon us from far more dynamic resources today, and it will only get better. Our kids will survive poor information channels from public schools far better than we did. But hey, call the schools. I couldn't hurt. It just might not do much good unless you specifically speak to a teacher. The system won't change. An individual might.

Answer 4

Yeah, when I took some college history courses I was blown away at how wrong the history that is taught in grade school through high school. The truth I learned was kind of messed up and scary though. I'm not sure if kids are ready for that kind of knowledge. Then again, come to think of it, when I was a kid I thought all the bullshit I was learning was true until I found out otherwise. How do I know that the crazy truth I learned in college isn't just the next level of bullshit?

Answer 5

History, in the United States, is always taught so that we look like we are without blame, and all American heroes are perfect. I have to assume that it is the same in other countries. Supposedly, it inspired and inspires patriotism. You can call, but you won't get anywhere. Even now, when I can cite book, chapter and page for references that what I was taught was wrong, the history teachers and the administrators in school tell me that they teach history the way the government, both state and federal, want it taught and if they teach any other way, then state and federal funds are withheld. Ain't America grand??

Answer 6

Thomas Jefferson pushed the idea of universal compulsory education precisely because he knew that the only way our Democracy would work would be if EVERYONE was educated about how their government works and how and why it is important to participate in the process.

The fact that right now our democracy isn't working so well (issues dominated by a few religious zealots, few people voting, a constant erosion of our rights....etc.) is a symptom of our failure to teach civics/history properly.

I supplement the education my children get by having conversations with them about whatever the issues are of the day. I encourage them to ask questions and find answers and to think for themselves.

Answer 7

If parents are serious about education, they will review the curriculum with their child. Hopefully the parents are smart enough to know the difference. What about Evolution...this is still in the theory stage (as incorrect as it is) but is still taught as scientific law. The best thing is to nurture a child's natural curiosity so they will want to learn more than they get in the classroom.

I wish if enough people stood up, that the schools would change, but unfortuately, America is so caught up in the TOLERANCE movement, they are willing to overlook something obviously false or objectionable to as not to see UN-PC.

Answer 8

The problem is teaching the teachers and the authors of the books. Most of them grew up being taught what they're teaching or writing now, and some don't know that we've found out more facts, or even different facts, since they were educated.

Answer 9

Absolutely it matters!! If you know for a fact that something is being taught incorrectly you have a responsibility to your child and the children of others to get this obviously unqualified instructor out of the classroom!! I am a history major so it REALLY matters to me!

Answer 10

In our college district, juniors in many circumstances take American history, and sophomores take worldwide history. ecu history is obtainable, yet isnt required. i in my opinion teach American history Honors to eleventh graders, and that i additionally teach a worldwide history Honors classification. My wager is that for the period of England, American history could be blanketed in ecu history, considering us of a breaking unfastened from large Britain is a large component of their history. anyhow, back in the 1700-1800s Europe owned various land in North us of a, which conflicted with the U. S., so i'm beneficial it is blanketed

Answer 11

Yes, but what can we do when the public school curriculum has to be approved by a govt that thrives on lying to the people???!!! I say if we want to change the way we view history, we need to change the scene before us now!