THOUGHTS WHILE SHAVING

by Donna Newberg-Long

Think for a moment what it would be like to be an adult who has not learned about economics, geography, history or civics when in school. Envision a tomorrow for our country where the school systems don’t commit to teaching the assorted customs and traditions our citizens enjoy. What future does our country face if our varied cultures cant find a common ground? Friends, I’m afraid the aftermath of No Child Left Behind will make this future a reality.

Curriculum Narrowing:

The attention to testing in our schools is creating an unintended consequence. This phenomenon is called curriculum narrowing. In short, it is a change in focus from non-tested subjects such as the arts, PE, social studies and science to those that are heavily tested like reading, writing and math.

Many school districts are narrowing their curriculum rather than providing more opportunities for students to learn about society and their role in it. Since understanding our common background and the traditions of a democratic society are critical to a successful society, limiting the time spent in elementary school on social studies and related subjects will have unpleasant repercussions we will regret later on.

Social studies instruction provides the foundation for contextual learning needed by our students in poverty if they are to compete in a global economy. For high and middle socio economic status students, narrowing of curriculum may have consequences such as limiting rich experiences generally found in public schools of the past, resulting in boredom and disinterest in the content taught at school.

Inadvertent By-Product:

Many white middle to upper socio-economic class students are choosing to attend private or charter schools that continue to offer a strong curriculum in social studies and science courses, an unintended consequence of curriculum narrowing in the public schools. This side-effect of curriculum narrowing may be one contributing factor in the re-emergence in our country of segregated urban public schools.

The public school system has a big opportunity to prepare students for a successful personal and societal future by helping them understand that everyone contributes in either a positive or negative way to the society as a whole. It is true that different cultures value things in a different way, and so success is relative in that regard. However, being able to build a common ground in the elementary years through social studies is essential to the success of a society.

Significance of Cultural Literacy:

A solid curriculum in social studies will result in cultural literacy. Wikipedia defines cultural literacy as “the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence (Wikipedia). Further, (cultural literacy) is the study of how people participate in society and how society operates. Through social inquiry children understand peoples role within society, according to Synapselearning.

It was found in a research project conducted in 1996 by E.D. Hirsch that academic achievement is a high contributing factor to cultural literacy. Additionally, the study also noted that cultural literacy is highly impacted by the annual income of a students family.

Hirsch’s study further describes the theories of Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann and John Dewey on the need for cultural literacy. Specifically, Jefferson said, democracy required a common school to provide all children equally with the knowledge and skills that would keep them economically independent and free.

Building Background Knowledge and Vocabulary Essential to Successful Students:

Psychological research has shown that the ability to learn something new is dependent upon to connect it to what is already known. In other words, knowledge builds upon knowledge. Since middle and upper class children come to school with more background knowledge than those in poverty, low SES kids are already behind in what they know. Without social studies they will continue to lack essential background knowledge and vocabulary.

Social studies programs give students the knowledge necessary to successfully survive in a society. What goal is more crucial that that? Of course math, writing and reading are skills everyone needs to learn! However, skills in those areas will be wasted if we cant apply them through our successful place in society.

Public Ramifications:

Historically, has the white culture been successful in helping minority cultures to succeed in our country? Unfortunately, not always! An excellent foundation for discussions about these struggles between race and diversity begins with a social studies curriculum. It is critical to offer cultural and timely social studies programs with the goal of bridging the divides in our cultures through civics and history. Programs rich in discussions about current events are wonderful catalysts to building the needed understanding early.

Common understanding among the citizens of a country is the tie that will bind them together. Social Studies is the avenue that can be used to create that understanding. Reducing the social studies curriculum in our public schools will only lead to even more differences and misunderstandings among our citizens, particularly among the wealthy and lower classes. Is that the right choice for our society?

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