Don't know much about history?
Fresh off a hot debate over its science standards, the Florida Department of Education has issued a new set of social studies standards for public review. Like its other proposals to update the state curriculum, the DOE turned to experts in the field to help revise the guiding principles for what kids should know in history, geography, economics, civics and more.
Will the recommendations cause a stir in the way that the use of the word "evolution" did when it came to the science standards? Religion does appear in the history proposal, but it would be pretty tough to discuss the world's past without talking about the role of the major religious movements, now, wouldn't it? Imagine a lesson on the Crusades without mentioning the church, for instance.
Only time will tell whether the social studies suggestions rate an A or an F with the public. The state is accepting comments through July 16. To see the standards, click here.
(Image, 2nd Crusade council at Jerusalem, from Crusades picture catalog at Boise State University)