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      Incorporating Humanities in the Education Reform Age
      posted by: Ruthie | June 20, 2013, 04:11 PM   

      In order to compete in an evolving economy, education advocates have championed Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) instruction as the key to preparing students for the future. Similarly, Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have pushed new rigorous English and language arts standards. While the focus on these academic areas is critical, it is easy to crowd out the humanities and social sciences. Due to the emphasis on state-tested subject, teachers are often narrowing their efforts towards math and language arts, sometimes at the expense of subjects like art, music, and history. In an effort to renew focus on the humanities, and balance the increasing investments in STEM, Congress has requested guidance on how to protect these important disciplines.

      In response, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences compiled a new report, titled "The Heart of the Matter". This report provides 12 key provisions designed to ensure that the humanities and social sciences do not become obsolete in America's classrooms. These provisions are divided into three main goals: "educating Americans in the knowledge, skills, and understanding they will need to thrive in a 21st century democracy;" "fostering a society that is innovative, competitive, and strong;" and "equip the nation for leadership in an interconnected world."

      The 12 provisions are as follows:

      • Supporting full literacy as a foundation for all learning, not just in school, but over a lifetime.
      • Investing in the preparation of citizens in a democracy, by ensuring a "thorough grounding" in history, civics, and social studies.
      • Increasing access to online resources, so all students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—can use quality materials.
      • "Significantly" increasing the federal government's investment in research into social sciences and the humanities.
      • Creating "cohesive curricula" to ensure "basic competency" in humanities and social sciences.
      • Creating a humanities "master teacher corps," akin to the STEM Master Teacher Corps recently proposed by the White House.
      • Encouraging universities, foundations, research centers, and government agencies to bring representatives of all disciplines together to solve the world's "grand challenges."
      • Communicating the broad implications of research to the public.
      • Promoting language learning.
      • Expanding education in international affairs and transnational studies.
      • Supporting study abroad and international exchange programs for undergraduates.
      • Developing a "culture corps" that matches adults with schools, community centers, and other groups to "transmit humanistic and social-scientific expertise from one generation to the next."

      As the Common Core's emphasis on non-fiction reading serves to underscore history, it is important that new technology and a focus on state-tested subjects do not underplay the significance of understanding the past.

      As the documents states, "The humanities and social sciences are not merely elective, nor are they elite or elitist. They go beyond the immediate and instrumental to help us understand the past and the future. They are necessary and they require our support in challenging time as well as in times of prosperity. They are critical to our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, as described by our nation's founders. They are The Heart of the Matter."

      Click here to read the full report.

      What do you think of the report's recommendations? How should we preserve social sciences?
      Comment below.

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