Mary Vought: Virginia’s Proposed New Standards of Learning Embrace History

Many students are still unaware of important aspects of civic life and the updated standards will help them. These are the most recent federal analysis Test data showed that more than a third of eighth-graders in America did not have a basic understanding about American history. This was even before the learning loss caused by the pandemic. Numerous other surveys have also been conducted. shown a similar decline in civic knowledgeFrom nearly half of college students not understanding the lengths of Congress members to individuals confusing America’s republic with direct democracy, this is a significant increase.

Although the new standards may not address these national trends, if they are implemented, they will provide Virginia’s next generation with the objective knowledge they need and the skills to be productive citizens. These standards aren’t afraid to acknowledge the sins committed by racism and slavery. But neither do they condemn a nation that has long served as a beacon of hope around the world as irretrievably evil or blame today’s generation for the actions of ancestors long since deceased.

The standards stipulate that “parents should have open access to all instructional materials utilized in any Virginia public school.” Compare that to Terry McAuliffe (another Virginia governor), who notoriously said the same thing. stated This will happen in 2021 “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” As a mother living in Virginia, I’m glad that the current standards and current governor will allow me to have a say in my children’s education.

If the board of education adopts them, these proposed standards will help to create more perfect citizens — Virginians who recognize our history, warts and all, but also deeply understand the principles that have provided hope and opportunity to the world for centuries.