Did They Even Read It?
Proposed social studies standards are under attack by the SDEA. Why? Clear your calendar; a public hearing is set for 9 a.m. Monday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
One of the most important reasons for studying history is that virtually every stupid idea that is in vogue today has been tried before and proved disastrous before, time and again. — Thomas Sowell
HEADS UP: Public hearing on the proposed social studies standards is set for 9 a.m. Monday Nov 21 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1201 N. West Avenue.
Members of the South Dakota Education Association held 'walk-ins' Wednesday in Harrisburg, Tea, and Sioux Falls against the state’s proposed social studies standards.
The proposed standards were developed by a 15-member board that includes certified teachers, a state historian, representatives from indigenous tribes, and state representatives elected by South Dakotans.
The introduction to the standards includes this statement of purpose.
The standards developed with these guiding principles have been described thus in comments by those who oppose the standards:
This is fairly representative of the kind of comments one finds in news stories about the SD standards. It is a lie and completely politically driven.
If the spokesmen for the SDEA do not see the important names, figures, and events from all threads of history, including successes and faults, woven throughout these standards, it is because they, themselves, are ignorant of history and do not recognize the importance of those names and events. Or, it’s because they didn’t even read the standards, and reacted instead to the fact that they were developed under the current administration.
READ THE STANDARDS
Look at them critically. Then if you can arrange it, please sign up to speak and go the the meeting on Monday. Or just go and take notes, even if you don’t want to speak.
If you want to testify on Monday, you must email Ferne.Haddock@state.sd.us by 2 p.m. Central this Friday