"U.S. history will continue to be taught, hopefully at the middle school level and certainly at the high school level, but that's all you can say," says Thieman. "Is learning about U.S. history one time enough to ensure that our students know how to be active citizens? Do they have enough understanding of world history and geography to even know where events that have an impact on our global society are occurring around the world?"
"Democracy is not a natural state," Thieman continues. "It has to be taught; it just doesn't happen. Just because you were born in a democracy doesn't mean you're going to die in a democracy."
In the meantime, the federal education budget for 2008 has little or no money for geography and economics classes and includes cuts in fourth-grade civics and U.S. history, Altoff says. However, a recent NCLB reauthorization bill from the House of Representatives includes a provision for assessing other content areas beyond reading, writing, math and science. Altoff is hopeful that advocacy efforts for more social studies in elementary grades are making a wave.
Lisa Zamosky is a freelance writer based in San Diego