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

Parents and the Schools

Educators and education policymakers at the national and state levels support an expanded history curriculum in our schools. Parents and schools can be partners in this endeavor as they work toward their common goal of educating children. Following are some well-proven measures for supporting your children's study of history at school, and for forming productive relationships with those responsible for their education away from home:

Become familiar with your school's history program. Ask

What do I see in my child's classroom that shows history is
Are newspapers and current events media part of the curriculum?
Does my child regularly have history homework, and history
Are there field trips relating to history?

Is my child encouraged to ask questions and look for answers from
How is knowledge of history assessed in addition to tests based
Are my children learning history in elementary and middle school,
Does the history curriculum include world history as well as
Does my school require teachers to have studied history? Or does
Talk often with your child's teachers.

Attend parent-teacher conferences early in the school
Listen to what teachers say during these conferences, and take
Let teachers know that you expect your child to gain a knowledge
Ask the teachers what their expectations of the class and your
Agree on a system of communication with the teachers for the
Keep an open mind in discussing your child's education with
Help to improve history education in your child's

Volunteer in your children's history class, for example, to
If you feel dissatisfied with the history program, talk to your

yourself:
valued there? For example, are maps, globes, atlases, and original source documents visible?
Are biographies, myths, and legends used to study history?
projects periodically, including debates and mock trials?
reliable sources?
on the textbook?
and are the history curriculums well coordinated?
American history?
it assign history classes to teachers with little or no background?
year.
notes.
of history, and that you appreciate their efforts towards this goal.
child are.
year, either by phone or in writing twice a semester, and whenever you are concerned.
teachers; ask questions about anything you don't understand; and be frank with them about your concerns.
school. organize visits from the mayor or local historians, and to local historical sites.
children's teachers first, and then to the principal, history curriculum division, superintendent, and finally the school board. Also talk to other parents for their input.

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[Activities: History as Time] [Resources]