Original sender: Ross Dunn <rdunn@sciences.sdsu.edu>
San Diego State University
Many of you have inquired about having access to the National Standards for
World History, as well as the US and K-4 standards, on line. I am happy to
report that barring technical difficulties, the world history standards should
be available some time next week through H-Net. This will not be just main
headings but virtually the entire book, including the 1,300 or so teaching
exemplars. You will be receiving further information on accessing all or
pieces of the standards.
Of course one of the aims of putting the standards on line is to stimulate
debate and discussion. Comments and critiques will be welcome
at the National Center for History.
On the subject of Sheldon Hackney's appearance before the Senate
Appropriations Committee, Page Miller reported that Sen. Gorton asked if the
[History] Center that had produced the standards had any pending applications.
Hackney responded that one would be determined in May. "Be very careful with
that application," Gorton said.
This comment suggests that Gorton believes the NEH should not fund the History
Center for any project. The Center has two proposals before NEH. One of them
does relate to standards dissemination and interpretation and is designed to
assist teachers. The other is a proposed project of the Center related to
world history but not directly to standards.
It appears that the Senator believes the National Center for History should be
"punished" for supervising the national consensus-building process that
produced the standards.
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