Historical Literacy: The Case for History in American Education - Softcover

The decline of history in the American secondary-school curriculum and the rise of the supposedly more utilitarian discipline of "social studies" has often been noted and deplored in recent times. The Bradley Commission on History in Schools, a program of Vanderbilt Univ. created in 1987, sets out to answer the concerns of educators and parents in the face of this educational shift. The commission's report, published here with essays from 16 leading historians--Gordon Craig, William McNeill, Diane Ravitch et al.--provides a reasoned approach to a task of enormous dimensions: how to strengthen a compromised field of study. Assuming the importance for citizens to have knowledge of history to understand current events, the authors address issues ranging from creative classroom instruction at all levels to conditions that encourage effective teaching. Their call for change echoes a national need for improvement in education, and University of Massachusetts history professor Gagnon masterminds a welcome resource to that end.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Bradley Commission was launched two years ago to study and make recommendations on the teaching of history in elementary and secondary schools. Its first report, "Building a History Curriculum" (Educational Excellence Network, 1988), is reprinted here as a chapter of the current work, which is a compilation of articles by the distinguished 17-member panel of historians. A wide vareity of opinions is expressed about how to translate new scholarship in history into textbooks and classroom practices, as the emphasis of historical scholarship has shifted from governments and public life to the lives of ordinary men and women. A truthful presentation of the past is needed to combat "cultural amnesia" and educate a citizenry in "a democratic vision of liberty." The quality of articles is generally excellent. Of interest to anyone seriously contemplating problems in our educational system, and essential for every history teacher.
- Arla Lindgren, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, New York
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.