Arkansas governor won't intervene to delay standards criticized by historians
Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday that he won't delay the implementation of new social studies standards that historians have said will de-emphasize the teaching of Arkansas history.
He stressed that state history will continue to be taught in a separate class for one semester between seventh and 12th grades, as required by law.
"We're not backing up one iota, and it's going to be mandatorily taught and taken," Beebe said in an interview.
Beebe said he agrees with critics that the new standards could make it more difficult to squeeze in that required semester, and he wants education officials and others to find a way to fix that.
He stressed that state history will continue to be taught in a separate class for one semester between seventh and 12th grades, as required by law.
"We're not backing up one iota, and it's going to be mandatorily taught and taken," Beebe said in an interview.
Beebe said he agrees with critics that the new standards could make it more difficult to squeeze in that required semester, and he wants education officials and others to find a way to fix that.