State education board OKs social science standards

? The State Board of Education approved revised language for social science standards Tuesday, reaching a consensus on how much students need to learn about Kansas and U.S. history and economics.

The board’s 9-1 vote broke a stalemate that had slowed the revision of the standards, which occurs every three years. The standards will become the basis for testing the state’s 480,000 students.

Originally, the draft standards contained broad references about the nation’s place in the international community. It said students should understand the governmental systems of the United States and other nations.

For example, students would study the effects on America’s economy from Japan’s decision to stop importing U.S. beef after the nation’s first confirmed case of mad cow disease last year.

The compromise — worked out by a standards-writing committee with help from board members Steve Abrams of Arkansas City and Bill Wagnon of Topeka — makes minor changes in the language, reflecting Abrams’ desire to place an emphasis on Kansas and the United States.

“We got a set of standards that I can vote for,” Abrams said.

Board member Sue Gamble of Shawnee cast the lone no vote, saying she preferred the original language.

The state reviews curriculum standards for each subject area every three years. Besides social sciences, a separate committee is working on a draft to revise science standards. The first draft is due in December — and evolution could be an issue.