1877 is not Year 1

By Nina Kilbride

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is in the process of overhauling the curriculum for North Carolina public schools.  The DPI has asked for feedback on the proposed curriculum through Feb. 15.  I reviewed the proposed curriculum.

There is a glaring problem with the proposed history instruction in North Carolina high schools.  The proposed curriculum eliminates the teaching of United States history prior to 1877 in North Carolina public schools. A few pre-1877 concepts are covered in other parts of the curriculum, but the proposed curriculum would not teach children:

Who came to the Americas and why
The states were once colonies of England
We fought a war to free ourselves from an imperial crown

Abbreviated history

By William R. Toler

North Carolina high schoolers could get relieved of the first 200 years of American history if the Department of Public Instruction has its way.

According to FOX News, DPI wants to start the U.S. History curriculum with the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes…in 1876. With the proposed curriculum, student’s wouldn’t learn the aspects of the pre-Columbian era through the Civil War, which could be considered the most important history of the nation.

But Rebecca Garland, DPI’s chief academic officer, told FOX News the goal isn’t to move away from American history. “What we are trying to do is figure out a way to teach it where students are connected to it, where they see the big idea, where they are able to make connections and draw relationships between parts of our history and the present day.”