MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama State Board of Education Thursday reviewed a proposed new course of study for social studies which, if adopted, would be the first update to the standards in over a decade.
The 165-page draft, which still needs formal approval by the board, would update curricula, expand elective options and require schools to teach the Holocaust. The course of study also shifts teaching of the Civil Rights Movement, with fifth grade building context and expanding on Alabama’s role.
Officials last revised the course of study in 2010, Ron Snell, the superintendent of Geneva City Schools, who chaired the committee and was among the presenters, said the development of the proposal was “a very transparent process” that involved educators and organizations from around the state.
“This is an effort to show you that this was a complete statewide effort,” he said. “It’s an attempt to ensure that this document is one that represents our state, our constituents, certainly this board, and of course, our educators around the state. Something that they can be proud of.”
A slide showing the organizations involved included both the Alabama Department of Archives and History, which has been working to improve the representation of the different people of the state in its collections, and Eagle Forum, a conservative organization.
The presenters referenced an evaluation of Alabama’s history curriculum from the Fordham Institute, a right-leaning education think tank, which generally gave the state’s program high marks but said the seventh grade civics curriculum goals were “worthy but unrealistic” for expecting students to understand a range of topics, including an economics unit; the structure, funding and function of Alabama and federal government; and identifying contemporary issues and how the country can improve.
Marcia Farabee, director of curriculum and instruction at Gadsden City Schools, presented challenges to the committee which included requests for more Alabama history.
“Alabama has a rich history,” she said. “We have citizens who have made global impact, and to narrow that down to one course in elementary school, our feedback said that’s not enough. We really need to dive more deeply in Alabama history.”
Board members appeared to be in favor of the updated curriculum. Both Tonya Chestnut, the vice president of the board and the state’s District 5 representative, and Yvette Richardson, the District 4 representative, complemented the inclusion of Black history in the standards.
“I just wanted you all to really applaud you all for going beyond and looking at true history the way it is and not just the way you want it to be, it takes courage, takes strength and it takes integrity,” said Richardson.
In the last legislative session, the Alabama Legislature passed a law banning the teaching of so-called “divisive concepts,” which critics said would limit the teaching of Black history in schools.
The Board in 2021 voted to ban the teaching of critical race theory, an academic framework used in college and graduate programs to understand the persistence of racism in American society. Critical race theory is not taught at the K-12 level.
Jackie Zeigler, the District 1 representative, also complimented the committee for replying to all of the feedback they received in the process.
“So, that is what I applaud you all on because that is not an easy road to travel,” she said.
Stephanie Bell, the District 3 representative, had several questions for the committee, including asking how the form of American government was described. Blake Busbin, the Alabama State Department of Education K-12 Social Studies Specialist for Instructional Services, said the most recent draft had it as a constitutional republic.
The new course of study also expands World War II and places emphasis on certain topics, like the rise of totalitarianism. The course of study also asks students to “describe the contributions of Alabama leaders and foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement as well as other Alabamian supporters who aided their efforts.”
It provides examples including Birmingham’s Fred Shuttlesworth; Mobile’s John LeFlore and Montgomery’s Rosa Parks.
Public comments on the proposals should be electronically submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 28.
The State Board of Education also heard a presentation on the updated Arts Education Draft. Public comment can be submitted.
