What happened in America before 1877? Apparently not much, according to public school officials in North Carolina.
Last year these officials came up with a new curriculum plan that failed to include much of United States history prior to 1877. Apparently they’ve determined that there’s no need for students to learn much about the people, events and philosophies that shaped our nation.
Right out of the Progressive playbook – destroying the future by ignoring the past.
Fortunately common sense prevailed. As reported in the Carolina Journal Online, the North Carolina Legislature was able to rein in the Department of Public Instruction. Governor Beverly Perdue signed The Founding Principles Act into law on June 23rd.
“The survival of the republic requires that our nation’s children, the future guardians of its heritage and participants in its governance, have a clear understanding of the Founding Philosophy and the Founding Principles of government for a free people,” according to the act’s preamble. The new law goes on to note that students will find the philosophy and principles “in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the writings of the Founders.”
High school students will now be required to pass “American History I – The Founding Principles”. What a concept!
Instruction will focus on 10 specific principles:
• Creator-endowed inalienable rights of the people
• the structure of government
• separation of powers with checks and balances
• frequent and free elections in a representative government
• rule of law
• equal justice under the law; private property rights
• federalism; due process
• individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights
• individual responsibility
While the new legislation may not be perfect (See article for commentary), it’s a darn good start. At least North Carolina public school kids will learn that America wasn’t founded in 1877 by Progressives.
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Related:
Raising Little Patriots ~ from Heritage’s Foundry Blog
If your children’s school is a little weak on the history of our country’s founding, or the kids could just use a refresher course, they’d probably benefit from reading Amelia Hamilton’s: “One Nation Under God ~ A Book for Little Patriots”. It’s aimed at younger children but I think all generations would enjoy it.
Maybe North Carolina all public schools could incorporate this book into their elementary curriculum. It’s only $8.99 – and I bet they could get a bulk order rate.
