Signs that Our Message is Being Heard
There have been indications that the message voiced by NCHE and others has been heard regarding the need to remedy the current trend of dramatically reduced instructional time for history. Some examples are:
1. Language that supports increasing instructional time for history
The Title I, Part I, Core Curriculum Development section of the "Miller/McKeon Discussion Draft for Title I" includes language that stipulates that funds "would support expanding the amount of instructional time" in subjects such as history in addition to "developing high quality curriculum, providing essential materials and textbooks, and partnering with community-based organizations to increase student learning in these subjects."
To read this language in the context of the full draft, please see page 10 of the Summary of the Title I draft and/or the text beginning on page 395 of the Text of the Title I discussion draft.
The House Committee invited stakeholders and organizations to submit comments on this discussion draft.
On September 5, 2007, NCHE Board of Trustees Chair Ted Rabb submitted a letter supporting the Title I, Part I, Core Curriculum Development section of the Discussion Draft which emphasizes the need to expand instructional time for subjects such as history.
2. Congressman Miller’s remarks to the National Press Club on July 30, 2007
You may also be interested in reading remarks made by Congressman George Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, to the National Press Club on July 30, 2007 regarding the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. In the remarks, he stated:
"We hear
concerns that the law has forced schools to focus on math
and reading instruction at the expense of history, art,
social studies, music, and physical education. This is
not required under the Act--nor should it be--but we must
help ensure that all students in all schools have access
to a broad, rich curriculum."
To read the complete text of Congressman Miller’s remarks, click here.
To read the complete text of Congressman Miller’s remarks, click here.
3. Language concerning National History Day
You may also wish to read the following section of the Discussion Draft which focuses on proposed support and funding of the National History Day program. Click on Text of Title III-XI discussion draft and go to pages 145-148 of Title V, Part F called "TEACHING OF TRADITIONAL AMERICAN HISTORY" and Section 5723.
4. Re-introduction of The American History and Civics Achievement Act (S1414)
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) re-introduced the American History and Civics Achievement Act (S1414) on May 16, 2007 in connection with the announcement of the 2006 results for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for U.S. history and civics.
The S1414 legislation is designed to establish a new, 10-state pilot program under the NAEP to assess and improve the knowledge of American history and civics. It amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to direct the Commissioner for Education Statistics to give a priority to conducting national NAEP assessments of student achievement in U.S. History at least once every 4 years in grades 4, 8, and 12. Currently the history assessment is usually given every five to seven years.
It also requires the Commissioner to conduct trial State NAEP assessments, in at least ten geographically diverse States, of student achievement in U.S. history in grades 8 and 12, and in Civics in grades 8 and 12.
The legislation authorizes $7 million for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009, to conduct the trial assessments.
The legislation is currently pending since the Senators have indicated that they wish for the legislation to be considered as part of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. For more information, read the May 16, 2007 press release from the offices of Senators Kennedy and Alexander.
Senators Kennedy and Alexander had previously re-introduced this bill on April 20, 2005, the day after NCHE's "Make History Strong in Our Schools" Day event at the U.S. Capitol.