In fall 2022, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy (the Institute) and UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights organization in the country, designed a project to better understand the representation of Latinos in U.S. History textbooks for high school. Recent years have brought increased awareness that students learn best when they…

Despite decades of critiques and scores of innovations designed to abolish or weaken it, the school district remains a central institution of the American educational system. Yet, although the district remains the primary agent of local democratic control and serves as the main unit for educational decisions, relatively little attention has been…

Discusses contributions women have made to the growth and development of society in California throughout the state's history. Presents reasons why women largely have been ignored by California history textbooks. Argues that students can benefit from a study of California women. (DB)

Designed to aid K-12 teachers in preparing a unit on the West, this paper summarizes the role of black cowboys in the Arizona territory and provides strategies and resources on teaching the subject. Section 1, an introduction, contains a list of unit objectives and discussion of instructional methods and techniques. Sections 2 through 8 contain…

Maintains that, in spite of many problems, American history is still a viable subject. Recommends that recent emphasis on special social studies skills and inquiry techniques should not allow Americans to lose sight of their collective past. (DB)

Critical reports that history is not being taught have touched off an extensive reappraisal of history in the schools. Contains summaries of the major reports of the past year and suggestions for school boards. (MLF)

Argues that, although Spanish/Mexican women have been important creative forces in shaping the development of California, their accomplishments have gone largely unrecorded. Describes the experiences of Spanish/Mexican women in California during the nineteenth century. Pays particular attention to the contributions of women in missions and on…

Adding an African-American perspective to the curriculum is advocated by some to combat 200 years of systematic defamation of African people generally. Advises board members to meet the challenge of multicultural education by beginning immediately to recognize and acknowledge the roles of various cultures in history and infusing that into the…

Samples and reviews a broad cross-section of United States survey textbooks available to college instructors in terms of their treatment of slavery. Reports on how they are doing collectively to represent a much revised historical topic, how they compare with one another, and which among them is most useful. (DSK)

Annotates seven popular American cultural myths and explains how historical myths can serve as vehicles of misinformation in the social studies classroom. Presents tips to teachers on how to teach history in an open and honest manner without glamorizing historical figures. (Author/DB)

Argues that the elementary social studies curriculum is based on unimportant and disconnected topics that are of little relevance or interest to students. Proposes a curriculum based on major social education goals such as shelter, citizen participation, and the appreciation of a multicultural society. Suggests seven steps teachers can use to…

The National Register of Historic Places maintains a database with information on more than 60,000 historic places of significance in U.S. history. This paper contends that the emerging K-12 social studies core curriculum, as exemplified by the National Standards Project, contains a number of openings for teaching about historic places.…

Reviews the 10-part video series, "Geography in U.S. History," designed to integrate geographic concepts into secondary U.S. history instruction. Contends that several of the programs are excellent whereas others have major limitations. Provides an overview and evaluation of each video. (CFR)

Emphasizing the educational importance of the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, Miller reviews various curriculum materials related to the topic. Recommends works for all grade levels, citing, among others, LESSONS ON THE CONSTITUTION, LAW AND THE BICENTENNIAL, and computer software entitled THE UNITED STATES…

The Founding Fathers of the United States placed great importance on the learning of foreign languages and on excellence in reading and writing English. Sacrifices in the curriculum in favor of English were justified by the desire that Americans speak and write English as well as the British. Above all, the Founding Fathers were concerned with the…