Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503230108
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
World history would be the main focus of study during at least three grades in elementary and high school.
And world geography and world history from the 15th century to the present would be required for 10th-graders.
The proposed new standards have caused a storm of protest by social studies teachers across the state who say they are inappropriate for early elementary grades and redundant for upper elementary and high school grades.
David Wymer, supervisor for social studies for Roanoke County schools, said Wednesday night that the standards focus on rote learning and memorization. They do not encourage the development of analytical and critical thinking, he said.
The social studies teachers question whether young elementary children are old enough to benefit from the study of early civilizations, including the exploration of America.
The proposed standards for social studies in kindergarten through 12th grade put too much emphasis on ancient history and not enough attention on recent history, economics and civics, he said.
The new standards were written mainly by the state Department of Education and Gov. George Allen's Commission on Champion Schools, Wymer said. They made broad changes to proposed standards that had been drafted by a group of social studies teachers from across from the state, he said.
The Department of Education also has developed proposed new academic standards for language arts, science and mathematics. Four school systems helped oversee the preparation of the standards.
The goal was to develop standards that were to be "academic, rigorous, measurable and free of jargon," said William Bosher, state superintendent of public instruction.
The science and math proposals have created little controversy. Some of the language arts standards have created debate, but the social studies proposals have caused the most disagreement.
The state Board of Education will have a series of public hearings on the standards beginning next week, including one at William Byrd High School at 7 p.m. next Thursday.
Roanoke County instructional supervisors briefed about 40 parents Wednesday night on the proposed standards.
Wymer said the social studies teachers want the Board of Education to discard the proposal and start over. He said the teachers do not oppose change, but they want standards that are rigorous and require more than just rote learning.
by CNB