A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

   FOR RELEASE                              Contact:  Kathryn Kahler
   October 11, 1995                              (202) 401-3026

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley Regarding Proposed Revisions of National History Standards

The recommendations announced today by the Council for Basic Education are an important step forward in the resolution of the controversy regarding proposed voluntary national history standards. The recommendations are concrete, specific and should form the basis for further developing a new consensus regarding what our young people need to know regarding America's proud history.

New history standards must tell the full story of America, with all its peaks and valleys. But it must be a story -- a history -- that gives all of our young people a solid foundation for good citizenship. Our young people must have a full understanding and appreciation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. American history is full of heroes and even scoundrels, but ultimately it is a positive history of a people striving to make real the democratic ideals of this great nation.

I also want to underscore the committee's suggestion that the history standards should be "specific enough to be meaningful, but broad enough to allow multiple approaches for curriculum development, which should remain a local function." The process of developing standards is an ongoing process at the state and local level, and I would encourage teachers and school leaders to fully engage the public in this effort. Any set of standards "worth their salt" must convey a level of excellence, but at the same time they must have broad-based public support and work in the classroom.

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