Teachers, state reps and state BOE members argue over updating social studies standards

The State Board of Education has revisited the standards for social studies coursework for public schools, prompting praise by some teachers and opposition by board Republicans.

Every five to seven years, the NC Department of Public Instruction revisits the standards and provides updates in content and approach. In February, the State Board of Education approved updated standards for social studies courses designed to include different perspectives of American history.

Teachers in Guilford County say these updates came at a good time.

“The protests we saw this summer from Black Lives Matter activists are having an impact,” said Robbie Bean, a white male social studies teacher at High Point Central High School. “We’ve got to look honestly at our past and present to fix problems, so the future is brighter for our kids.”

State school board members represent eight districts across the state. Representatives from each of the districts worked together to create, write, revise and edit the new standards for students in K-12 public education, to be implemented in the 2021-22 school year.

Read more: https://triad-city-beat.com/social-studies-standards/