Who decides the curriculum in the subject of history in our schools in the US?

Question

When I was in high school we learned about WW2 and what was done to the Jews and others in the death camps by the Nazis. We saw films of the liberation of those people still alive. Is this still being taught in our schools in the US? It seems this is a taboo subject in the media today.

Answer 1

Curriculum standards are generally set by the State Board of Education (which is of course guided by the US Dept. of Education). They decide what it takes for kids to earn a high school diploma in that state. Then each individual school decides (usually by a department head and the principal) what text books to use to teach these standards set by the state. The actual subjects taught in each core class (English, math, history, and science) are usually suggested by the department head. Then the lesson plans for those subjects (like the Holocaust) are written by the teachers.

My son was taught about WWII in Middle School. He will learn about it again this year in High School. At the Middle School in my city (in which, coincidentally, I completed my student teaching) the students are in "pods." So the teachers for the core subjects in each pod get together and decide what they will teach as a team for the semester. For example, when it was time to learn about WWII, the history teacher taught the history of it and the English teacher (me) had the students read and view the "Diary of Anne Frank" play. We had some very long discussions with the students. They were shocked at much of it and had so many questions -- as you can imagine.

So yes, it is still taught. At least in the school district where I live and many of those surrounding me.

Answer 2

It sounds good! I think you have really done your "homework." You never really find out all the quirks and bumps until you try it though. And 'good' for one kid can be 'horrid' for someone else. Here is what I tell all first-timers: When picking a curriculum, read and see as many different ones as you comfortably can, but not so many that your mind starts spinning. Then make your choice based on your gut, not on a sales pitch. If something obviously isn't working after trying and tweaking for a month, chalk it up to experience and replace it with a different style of material. You have to stay flexible while still staying on course. ======= Note to Shiori_hime - The DIVE program is made to go along with Saxon books. It adds a video component to the learning; but that is not the same as combining two disassociated programs. Saxon is a good middle-ground starting point. If the child just does not "get it" from Saxon, then she can try Math-you-See, or, if Saxon seems "too repetitive," then she can try Singapore. In the meantime, Saxon is probably better, but still close enough to what her son has been used to for the past four years that he should adjust to it easily.

Answer 3

They still teach the major historical events but the curriculum is decided by the board of education for each state. I don't think they show the same films they did when I was in school because some parent would say it's too graphic for kids and sue the school and board of education and then history would be banned from schools forever and so on. People are so desperate to sue somebody they do it for damn reason at all.

Answer 4

The state that you live in passes standards.

Also, No Child Left Behind has some effect..

mostly bad effect.

We have learned about a lot of the Holocaust.

While it is generally not in the school curriculum, most teachers try to teach it.

We went to the Holocaust museum.

Back in your day, it was probably more recent and a "bigger deal"

Answer 5

The individual school boards decide.

Answer 6

I think its still being taught. its only an issue in extremist countries with holocaust deniers.

Answer 7

yea i've learned about almost every single year since i was in the 6th grade