Students Deserve a Complete Education

Did you know that districts are narrowing curriculum to focus on tested subjects like reading, writing and math? I know this is important, but to teach everything in isolation and out of context is missing the boat! Students learn best when they are able to think about and experience a subject deeply. That is why I am such an advocate of integrated approaches to learning, such as Waldorf education and Core Knowledge–both of which provide rich thematic units within which students can learn the standards of social studies, science, and geography along with meaningful spelling, rich vocabulary and background knowledge important to citizens of the 21st Century.

My question remains, “Is curriculum narrowing equitable for students from low, middle and high socio economic homes?” Are all kids getting a well rounded education that builds essential background knowledge as well as skills?

Since 71% of school districts are narrowing curriculum now, will students grow up to understand and appreciate their history, their relationship to the world and their fellow man? There is work to do if we are to accomplish this without the time needed to teach Social Studies and Science. What do you think? What might be the unintended consequences of such a narrowing? Let me hear from you.

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