Senate leader and history buff Marc Basnight opposes a proposal to limit the big U.S. history course high schoolers take to the post-Reconstruction years.
School boards, history teachers and others have criticized the proposed curriculum, which would push much of early U.S. history to the elementary and middle school years, Lynn Bonner reports.
Basnight, a Manteo Democrat, wants more U.S. history taught in high school, not less.
"We should be doubling, maybe even tripling, our efforts and enhancing the coursework that is now taught in high school," Basnight said in a letter to State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison and State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson.
"I am absolutely opposed to any change that would limit the study to the years proposed," Basniight wrote.
Curriculum writers will have more revisions before the State Board of Education approves a plan.
Comments
The credit goes to...
February 15, 2010 - 6:32pm — stoopsMr. Basnight's contribution is important because people tend to listen to the most powerful legislator in the state. I certainly appreciate Dr. Brewer's great work on this issue.
But the highest honor goes to a history teacher and curriculum supervisor in Rockingham County, Michael Belter. Long before many of us got involved, Mr. Belter worked hard to attract as much attention to this issue as possible.
Do you really mean what you say?
February 15, 2010 - 2:10pm — hmoncelleIn reading the posting of b33910, I am struck by the obvious need to teach United States History Post-Reconstruction.
"Certainly post-reconstruction is interesting, but for the foundation of our laws, values, and ideals you must learn pre-reconstruction."
Which foundation, values, and laws are you advocating?
3/5th clause that counts slaves as population within a state...Like NC
The idea that "nullification" was a sound and just practice to be used by the states against the Federal Government?
The Fugitive Slave Act, that required states in the north to return human beings to their "owners" south of the Mason Dixon Line?
I would state that the values, foundations and laws that have been passed by the Congress of the United States AFTER the reconstruction of states that were in rebellion against the United States illustrate the ideals that need to be taught in our public schools rather than the values of a "Slave State that holds humans as property”
Basnight is actually a late comer to this...
February 14, 2010 - 11:37am — neo_momHolly Brewer from NC State has been leading the charge - look at her editorial today.
Basnight is reacting to this. While grateful for his support in trying to stop this travesty, where has he been since 2007 while DPI has been hatching it?
Isn't he "in the know" up there?
NC History is rich
February 14, 2010 - 6:47am — BitterEXdemocratand it needs 1-2 years of instruction while integrating it with American history...the proposed order of teaching it doesnt make much sense...remember the 'progressives' dont want certain issues taught...google early progressive movement and why it failed.
More history, not less
February 12, 2010 - 11:37pm — taylorI agree with Sen. Basnight. High school students need more exposure to history, both at the state and national level. We need more world history. It all adds up to help students see the world in full and to know the difference between tradition and a fad. History can also show which past actions failed and which succeeded. Any reasons being proffered to justify cutting history are short-sighted and need to be rejected.
Charles Malone
Raleigh
www.charlesmalonencsenate.com
Basnight opposes history...
February 12, 2010 - 7:03pm — b33910Agreed. Always did like that Mr. Basnight! My goodness, NC has some of the richest history. Halifax Resolves, NC militias, coastal/colonial history, first settlers, ironclads, Indian wars.... It would be a dream just to have the time and resources to drive through the state starting at the coast and small towns to study the history this state has generated in our nation. You are cheating the children here. Certainly post-reconstruction is interesting, but for the foundation of our laws, values, and ideals you must learn pre-reconstruction.