History

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how history is taught

Explainer

Image of books on history.
Who Decides What History We Teach? An Explainer
Education Week breaks down how politics has long been embedded in this decision, and how new laws may affect the process.
View Explainer
A poster hangs on the walls of Brien McMahon High School during Black History Month in Norwalk, Conn.
A poster hangs on the walls of Brien McMahon High School during Black History Month in Norwalk, Conn.
Courtesy of LaShante James
Equity & Diversity Q&A How One School Leader Uses Music and More to Celebrate Black History
As Black History Month ends, a school leader in Norwalk, Conn., reflects on her varied approach to celebrating the month—and the significance of studying and learning from Black history.
Jennifer Vilcarino, February 28, 2025
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4 min read
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) greet Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Education, before her Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, on Feb. 13, 2025.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, greet Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of education, before her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 13, 2025.
Graeme Sloan for Education Week
Federal McMahon Declines to Say If Black History Classes Are Allowed Under Trump Order
The comment came during an exchange with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., about Trump's executive order on "radical indoctrination."
Mark Lieberman, February 13, 2025
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3 min read
A student raises their hand to ask a question before a group of assorted historical figures.
Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Black History Month: A Time of Reflection and Celebration
Read all of Education Week Opinion’s Black history projects guest edited by educator LaGarrett J. King.
January 30, 2025
A hidden library of knowledge behind the curtain of a classroom.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Why We Need Black History Education: A Collection
This year’s special Education Week Opinion project offers perspectives and guidance from educators for improving Black history education.
January 30, 2025
Many hands build a pyramid of books.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion What We Lose When We Only Teach ‘Respectable’ Black History
It’s tempting to overcompensate for the absence of Black history by teaching only perfect, pristine, and pure histories.
LaGarrett J. King , January 30, 2025
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5 min read
A group of children walk across a book under protective hands.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion What We Can All Learn From Black Women in Education
These eight extraordinary women in history have a lot to teach us today.
Dawnavyn M. James, January 30, 2025
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5 min read
Student silhouettes walk past a locked library cabinet.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Can’t Teach AP African American Studies? Start a Club
My students wanted more Black history than our school curriculum offered. Here’s what we did.
Nick Kennedy, January 30, 2025
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3 min read
A hidden library of knowledge behind the curtain of a classroom.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Problem With Primary Sources in Black History Education
Do you know how to put Black history sources in context?
Abigail Henry, January 30, 2025
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5 min read
Papers fall from a hand withholding a pile of papers from students underneath it.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Three Essentials of Teaching a Black History Class
Launching a new Black history course is a challenge. It should be.
Greg Simmons, January 30, 2025
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4 min read
A pile of vibrantly colored reference books.
Dumitru Ochievschi/iStock + Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Black History to Spark Meaningful Conversations: A Resource List
Here are several books and a film to empower educators to engage with Black history and racial literacy.
Daphanie Bibbs, Dawnavyn M. James & De'Ana Forbes, January 30, 2025
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5 min read
A crowd of abstract multicolored silhouettes of people made in the collage style. A metaphor of unity and partnership.
iStock/Getty images + Education Week
Social Studies Opinion What Students Have to Say About Their Black History Class
Here’s what made these high school seniors sign up for an African American studies course—and what they’ve learned.
Geoff Wickersham, January 30, 2025
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1 min read
Words on wooden cubes on a blue background. 3D render. Vector image of a male figure with magnifying glass searching a web window of links.
iStock/Getty
Social Studies How History Class Can Foster Lifelong Literacy Skills
Parsing historical documents can train students to be critical consumers of information in their own lives, experts say.
Sarah Schwartz, December 26, 2024
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3 min read
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Getty + Education Week
Social Studies Opinion This Native American Heritage Month, We Must Confront Our Nation’s Violence
Presenting students with a fuller, authentic account of U.S. history is no easy task. It is, however, a necessary one.
Tim Miller, November 26, 2024
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5 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Opinion Boys Don't Love to Read. Could This Former Teacher Be on to Something?
Boys are falling behind in reading. Books with military-history themes may help reverse this trend.
Rick Hess, November 19, 2024
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7 min read
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