History

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

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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.
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Ahenewa El-Amin leads a conversation with students during her AP African American Studies class at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., on March 19, 2024.
Ahenewa El-Amin leads a conversation with students during her AP African American Studies class at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., on March 19, 2024.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Curriculum Video VIDEO: What AP African American Studies Looks Like in Practice
The AP African American studies course has sparked national debate since the pilot kicked off in 2022. A look inside the classroom.
Ileana Najarro & Jaclyn Borowski, March 29, 2024
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1 min read
Ahenewa El-Amin leads a conversation with students during her AP African American Studies class at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., on March 19, 2024.
Ahenewa El-Amin leads a conversation with students during her AP African American Studies class at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., on March 19, 2024.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Social Studies How AP African American Studies Works in a State That Limits Teaching About Race
Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., is offering the final pilot year of the course before it officially launches this fall.
Ileana Najarro, March 29, 2024
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8 min read
A couple of historic rusty irons on a shelf.
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Social Studies Opinion We Undervalue Women's Work. Teaching This Topic Could Help
Keeping housework out of our curricula reflects a broader social indifference toward this traditionally female labor.
Alexandra Thrall & R. Zackary Seitz , March 22, 2024
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4 min read
Photo of U.S. flag in classroom.
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Curriculum History Group Finds Little Evidence of K-12 'Indoctrination'
Most social science educators say they keep politics out of the classroom, but need help identifying good curriculum resources
Olina Banerji, March 20, 2024
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6 min read
A group of parents look at a book, another parent blocks a child's access to the book
Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion What Black Parents Think About How Black History Is Taught
The preferences of Black parents are rarely the focus in debates over Black history instruction. Here’s what these survey respondents had to say.
LaGarrett J. King , February 22, 2024
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3 min read
Photo illustration of colorful 60's geometric design patterns mimicking screen-printing over historic photograph. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., center, addresses a gathering in the riot-torn area of Los Angeles, Aug. 18, 1965. Bayard Rustin, King's aide, is at left.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + AP Photo/Don Brinn, File + Getty Images
Social Studies Opinion What I Wish I Knew About Teaching Black History Before I Left the Classroom
Bettina L. Love explains how she struggled to portray Black icons as real people in the early days of her teaching career.
Bettina L. Love, February 12, 2024
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4 min read
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Teaching Video VIDEO: An Educator Answers FAQs on Teaching Black History
A Black educator answers educators' frequently asked questions around teaching Black history.
Dawnavyn M. James, Jaclyn Borowski & Elizabeth Rich, February 8, 2024
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1 min read
Overhead view of people interacting with colorful books on a table.
Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Who’s Improving Black History Education for Everyone? Three Stand-Outs
Recent highlights in Black history education, from the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education’s LaGarrett J. King.
LaGarrett J. King , February 1, 2024
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2 min read
A group of teachers gather around a textbook excited about the content.
Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion I Train Teachers to Teach Black History. Here’s What I’ve Learned
Here’s how I’ve tried to reclaim Black history from the margins—and how you can do the same.
Abigail Henry, February 1, 2024
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4 min read
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Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Black History That Moves Us: A Resource List for Educators
Here are some books, documentaries, websites, and social media accounts to help you teach Black history in all its complexity.
Daphanie Bibbs, Abigail Henry, Dawnavyn M. James & Gregory Simmons, January 31, 2024
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5 min read
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Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion Celebrating Black History Education: A Collection
This year’s special Education Week Opinion project celebrating Black History Month focuses on what is going well in Black history education.
January 30, 2024
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Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion What the Country's First Mandatory Black History Course Can Teach Us Today
Decades before AP African American Studies came along, Black women were the driving force behind an unprecedented education reform.
Ashley D. Dennis, January 30, 2024
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5 min read
A student raises their hand to ask a question before a group of assorted historical figures.
Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Opinion You Should Be Teaching Black Historical Contention
How to responsibly teach this critical component of Black history instruction —and why you should.
Brittany L. Jones , January 30, 2024
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4 min read
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Camilla Sucre for Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Instructive Story of This Jim Crow Era Black History Contest
What an overlooked initiative in the segregated South tells us today about teaching Black history to white students.
Christine Woyshner, January 30, 2024
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4 min read
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