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In October of 2004, this Website discussed a national concern among teachers regarding the loss of Social Studies instructional time as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). With the act's emphasis on Reading and Mathematics, daily class schedules were being adjusted to make more time for those subjects at the expense of others. The 2004 NCSS Summer Leadership Institute discussed this issue at length with members of Congress during their "drop-ins." The response from our Representatives was "We understand the concern, show us the data." During the Institute, committee members drafted a resolution (later passed by the NCSS House of Delegates in November of 2004) encouraging state councils to gather data regarding any reduction of Social Studies instructional time as a result of NCLB.
Beginning in 2002, the Center on Education Policy began a national study on the implementation of NCLB and has issued three previous reports. The most recent, "From the Capital to the Classroom - Vol. 4," drew information from 299 school districts in all 50 states, developed case studies of 38 geographically diverse districts and three national forums. The report finds that 71% of the school districts reduced instructional time in at least one other subject to make more time for reading and mathematics. Many teachers reported a loss of social studies instructional time due to excessive time required for teaching and testing mathematics and reading. One teacher's comment was indicative of many, "[NCLB] has torn apart our social studies curriculum. We are raising tomorrow's leaders and [it's] forcing us to fill their heads with math facts that do not make them better leaders or help students make choices." A press release and the full report can be found on the CEP website at http://www.cep-dc.org. There is also a comprehensive news article from the New York Times on March 26, 2006. www.nytimes.com
It seems we now have the data Congress was requesting. We all know how important teaching the social studies is, especially now as so much of this country's future is tied up in Social Science related issues. We also have been divided on how best to address the issues surrounding NCLB. In our state, Superintendent Susan Castillo's recent announcement to make adjustments to the CIM/CAM program is being followed by the state Board of Education meeting in May to make recommendations to the Oregon Legislature for its 2007 legislative session. The process is moving forward and teachers must move with it and be heard or... they will be left behind.
You may access the Oregon State Board of Education Notice of Policy Review at www.www.ode.state.or.us. Comments can still be submitted to Jan McComb (jan.mccomb@state.or.us) or mail them to State Board of Education, ATTN: Jan McComb, 255 Capitol Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97310
As we move toward the up coming mid-term elections, it will be important that candidates for elected office hear from Oregon's Social Studies teachers on the issue of reduced Social Studies instructional time. We encourage you to get involved in the political process, talk to your colleagues, students' parents and friends about the importance of adequate instructional time devoted to the Social Studies. Find out what other states are doing to help keep balanced curriculums. Write to legislators and encourage them to support the social studies in upcoming legislation. You may write to both your state senator and representative at this link on the Oregon State Legislature website. www.leg.state.or.us.
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