DCPS Social Studies Curriculum Concerns

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

This could be a troll but there is a kernel of truth here. My kid is younger I heard something similar from my nephew recently (not in DCPS) about the way they are taught to write in high school. I haaaaate saying this because I think the whining about CRT is overblown, but it does sound like there is so much focus on politically correct thinking that it undermines some basic education. And it backfires too, because the kids don't actually adopt the "correct" viewpoints they are spoon-fed. They get annoyed with how rigid it all is and roll their eyes at it, but have much more nuanced opinions on it all that they simply don't express to adults. Which is actually troubling. They are learning to play a game to parrot certain talking points but then not really engaging with teachers or parents on these issues.

Kernel of truth? It’s more like a supersized bucket of movie theater popcorn sized truth. Look at the summer reading list for Deal. It’s like they tore off the recommended reading list from a college gender/ethnic studies course and repackaged it like the Harvard president would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

This could be a troll but there is a kernel of truth here. My kid is younger I heard something similar from my nephew recently (not in DCPS) about the way they are taught to write in high school. I haaaaate saying this because I think the whining about CRT is overblown, but it does sound like there is so much focus on politically correct thinking that it undermines some basic education. And it backfires too, because the kids don't actually adopt the "correct" viewpoints they are spoon-fed. They get annoyed with how rigid it all is and roll their eyes at it, but have much more nuanced opinions on it all that they simply don't express to adults. Which is actually troubling. They are learning to play a game to parrot certain talking points but then not really engaging with teachers or parents on these issues.

None of this is about CRT. No kid is learning CRT in K-12. Basically, CRT is a methodology used in law school. Yes, people use the term in layman's terms, but it's incorrect. Also, my kid, who is educated in what you call "politically correct thinking," which I just call education, does not roll his eyes at this education. If your kid is rolling their eyes at education that encourages them to think in a socially justice minded way, then maybe you need to do something about that and not blame teaching kids about socially important topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

Sure, Jan.

The social studies curriculum was rewritten in 2020-2021 with lots of opportunities for the public to contribute. Topics like the Renaissance and world history aren’t covered until HS, but I think DCPS does a good job covering US History, basic geography, and civics in K-8.

Lots of parents here, with kids ranging from elementary to middle school to high school, are expressing genuine concerns about what and how their kids are learning social studies. It isn't that they aren't covering US History and geography in K-8 (yes, I get that it is in the official curricula), its that there are enormous gaps and questionable perspectives (i.e. "maps are bad.") Trying to minimize their concerns with a condescending tone is part of the problem. But, thanks Jan.

My condescending tone was directed at the parent above who claims their reading and writing loving child is opting to turn to hard sciences because there’s too much “identity agenda” in social studies. Reading and writing about identities, different perspectives, social movements, and the changing nature of humanity and civilization is the foundation of social studies. This (likely) troll sounds like a Fox News segment in at a school board meeting in Florida. Perhaps DCPS is the wrong place for these families. Miss me with the attitude, we all know YMMV in DCPS regardless of school subject. You have to be aware of what’s being taught in your kids classes and accommodate accordingly.

[Anonymous]

The overfocus on STEM is causing this. Wait till high school. My ninth grader at JR isnt even reading a book -/ just texts from books! And they read then out loud in class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 6th grader in a DCPS middle school who knows about all of the things you referenced. Some from school, some from reading, some from family/friends conversations… not sure this is a DCPS problem so much as anecdotal evidence that you need to pay more attention to your kid and their activities?

+1
My now-sixth grader covered Columbus/Native American tribes, colonial America, the American Revolution, slavery and the Civil War, Westward Expansion, and immigration. Also discussed WWI and WWII. Didn't get to the Cold War, but I don't think I did either until HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OP. My 6th grader has zero knowledge of how big the US is or where it is in relation to other countries. He was shocked that it takes less time to fly to the Dominican Republic than San Francisco. I said, “Look at the map - California is much further away.” He said “We learned in Social Studies that maps are bad because they make Africa look small.” 🤡

I'm sorry, did you expect us to believe this? What a dim view of educators you must have, to think that parents would believe such clearly fabricated nonsense.

this is what he told me! if your DCPS child had lessons in basic geography - identifying states and countries on a map - let us know.

My Deal 6th grader has map quizzes for each unit, both countries and geographical features.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OP. My 6th grader has zero knowledge of how big the US is or where it is in relation to other countries. He was shocked that it takes less time to fly to the Dominican Republic than San Francisco. I said, “Look at the map - California is much further away.” He said “We learned in Social Studies that maps are bad because they make Africa look small.” 🤡

What your child picked up may not have been the only thing taught. It sounds like they learned about the Mercator vs the Gall-Peters projections. Additionally, I went to graduate school for history and there are various ways of teaching history. Presenting history as European-centric with an obsessive focus on date is sort of the old fashioned method of teaching history.

If it makes you feel better my DCPS HS student got a 5 on the AP history exam. Kids learn history in DCPS!

Missing major aspects of world history like the Renaissance is a problem. As is the low low bar set where kids are not expected to learn any facts and dates and instead go straight to theorizing and “inquiry” without knowing anything to base it on.

Elementary school kids do not learn about the Renaissance in history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OP. My 6th grader has zero knowledge of how big the US is or where it is in relation to other countries. He was shocked that it takes less time to fly to the Dominican Republic than San Francisco. I said, “Look at the map - California is much further away.” He said “We learned in Social Studies that maps are bad because they make Africa look small.” 🤡

What your child picked up may not have been the only thing taught. It sounds like they learned about the Mercator vs the Gall-Peters projections. Additionally, I went to graduate school for history and there are various ways of teaching history. Presenting history as European-centric with an obsessive focus on date is sort of the old fashioned method of teaching history.

If it makes you feel better my DCPS HS student got a 5 on the AP history exam. Kids learn history in DCPS!

I think a more "modern" method of teaching history, though, needs to be built on a basic foundation of knowledge. I understand not memorizing dates (we can all look those up on our phones now). But not knowing if the Civil War happened before or after WWII is troubling.

No one learns this in elementary school. Middle and High school, yes. Not elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

Sure, Jan.

The social studies curriculum was rewritten in 2020-2021 with lots of opportunities for the public to contribute. Topics like the Renaissance and world history aren’t covered until HS, but I think DCPS does a good job covering US History, basic geography, and civics in K-8.

Lots of parents here, with kids ranging from elementary to middle school to high school, are expressing genuine concerns about what and how their kids are learning social studies. It isn't that they aren't covering US History and geography in K-8 (yes, I get that it is in the official curricula), its that there are enormous gaps and questionable perspectives (i.e. "maps are bad.") Trying to minimize their concerns with a condescending tone is part of the problem. But, thanks Jan.

NP. I doubt those parents have kids, let alone in DCPS. These are troll posts. My kids had map tests and are learning history in DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OP. My 6th grader has zero knowledge of how big the US is or where it is in relation to other countries. He was shocked that it takes less time to fly to the Dominican Republic than San Francisco. I said, “Look at the map - California is much further away.” He said “We learned in Social Studies that maps are bad because they make Africa look small.” 🤡

What your child picked up may not have been the only thing taught. It sounds like they learned about the Mercator vs the Gall-Peters projections. Additionally, I went to graduate school for history and there are various ways of teaching history. Presenting history as European-centric with an obsessive focus on date is sort of the old fashioned method of teaching history.

If it makes you feel better my DCPS HS student got a 5 on the AP history exam. Kids learn history in DCPS!

Missing major aspects of world history like the Renaissance is a problem. As is the low low bar set where kids are not expected to learn any facts and dates and instead go straight to theorizing and “inquiry” without knowing anything to base it on.

Elementary school kids do not learn about the Renaissance in history.

Mine do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know OP. My 6th grader has zero knowledge of how big the US is or where it is in relation to other countries. He was shocked that it takes less time to fly to the Dominican Republic than San Francisco. I said, “Look at the map - California is much further away.” He said “We learned in Social Studies that maps are bad because they make Africa look small.” 🤡

What your child picked up may not have been the only thing taught. It sounds like they learned about the Mercator vs the Gall-Peters projections. Additionally, I went to graduate school for history and there are various ways of teaching history. Presenting history as European-centric with an obsessive focus on date is sort of the old fashioned method of teaching history.

If it makes you feel better my DCPS HS student got a 5 on the AP history exam. Kids learn history in DCPS!

I think a more "modern" method of teaching history, though, needs to be built on a basic foundation of knowledge. I understand not memorizing dates (we can all look those up on our phones now). But not knowing if the Civil War happened before or after WWII is troubling.

No one learns this in elementary school. Middle and High school, yes. Not elementary school.

Yes - no one learns in school, but a good number of kids learn this at home or elsewhere during elementary school.

[Anonymous]

When my 5th grade niece came to visit from Boston, I asked her if she'd want to see the Constitution while she was here. Her response was "who is that?", so I know the problem is more than just DCPS. That being said, we've seen a lot of the same issues as others. This year we started reading our way through American History with read alouds as a bit of a supplement. So far, my top recommendations are - Peacemaker by Joseph Bruchac and Sign of the Beaver and Witch of Blackbird Pond both by Elizabeth George Speare. It is a great way to talk about history in a casual way. We're reading Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

This could be a troll but there is a kernel of truth here. My kid is younger I heard something similar from my nephew recently (not in DCPS) about the way they are taught to write in high school. I haaaaate saying this because I think the whining about CRT is overblown, but it does sound like there is so much focus on politically correct thinking that it undermines some basic education. And it backfires too, because the kids don't actually adopt the "correct" viewpoints they are spoon-fed. They get annoyed with how rigid it all is and roll their eyes at it, but have much more nuanced opinions on it all that they simply don't express to adults. Which is actually troubling. They are learning to play a game to parrot certain talking points but then not really engaging with teachers or parents on these issues.

None of this is about CRT. No kid is learning CRT in K-12. Basically, CRT is a methodology used in law school. Yes, people use the term in layman's terms, but it's incorrect. Also, my kid, who is educated in what you call "politically correct thinking," which I just call education, does not roll his eyes at this education. If your kid is rolling their eyes at education that encourages them to think in a socially justice minded way, then maybe you need to do something about that and not blame teaching kids about socially important topics.

You misunderstood me. I wasn't saying they are teaching CRT. I'm saying there is a clear agenda to a lot of the readings and assignments kids get (to promote a fairly narrow view of tolerance and inclusion) and kids know what the agenda is and have learned to just parrot it for school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

+1. We did a lot of supplementing to. It sort of became a running joke at our dinner table. I mean every single book they read is about racism or identity. It’s completely out of whack.

What supplementing?

We supplement with the actual truth about US history. Which is, despite its warts and all the US is the greatest country that’s ever existed and has brought freedom to billions around the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DCPS kid in high school who was passionate about reading, writing, and history. But she's saying now she wants to go into the hard sciences because there is less of a prescribed agenda. Every English or Social Studies paper is about "identity" and needs to written in from an oppressor/victim POV to receive a high grade. The kids roll their eyes a bit, but they play the game. It just isn't intellectually fulfilling.

I recommend supplementing with different material and perspectives at home. That's helped us a bit.

This could be a troll but there is a kernel of truth here. My kid is younger I heard something similar from my nephew recently (not in DCPS) about the way they are taught to write in high school. I haaaaate saying this because I think the whining about CRT is overblown, but it does sound like there is so much focus on politically correct thinking that it undermines some basic education. And it backfires too, because the kids don't actually adopt the "correct" viewpoints they are spoon-fed. They get annoyed with how rigid it all is and roll their eyes at it, but have much more nuanced opinions on it all that they simply don't express to adults. Which is actually troubling. They are learning to play a game to parrot certain talking points but then not really engaging with teachers or parents on these issues.

Yep. A huge amount of resources was expended in my kid’s 5th grade social studies class for the kids to draft basically political action campaigns - which were all terribly written and not backed by facts or even persuasive argument. It was all about “make your voice heard” and nothing about actual learning.

At this point, I’m pretty positive that the report I did on Japan in 3rd grade involved more extensive research and writing than my kid has ever done (and he is in 6th grade!)