NCLB mandated testing for Reading and Math ONLY...

...back in the early 2000's. In MANY districts, this pressure to do well in those two subjects caused administrators to undermine and punish the teaching of any other subjects...including history and civics education. While important to democracy, poor performance in those subjects would NOT lead to sanctions against a school district under NCLB. This was particularly prevalent in Title I schools/districts, even though states had curricular mandates that included (and still include) the teaching of history and science.

Many educators I know have been speaking out about this for a decade. In California, I think we finally have a Governor (in Jerry Brown) and a Supt. of Public Instruction (in Tom Torlakson) who get this and are trying to restore a full curriculum. They have their work cut out for them.

As a teacher, I think this is one of the BEST arguments around to make sure we ALWAYS support a free, PUBLIC education for all our children. I am glad that people like former (GHWB) Asst. Secretary of Education, Diane Ravitch, are speaking out. Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is right:

O'Connor launched the effort that became iCivics in 2006, the year she retired from the court. It initially focused on the judicial branch alone, but "it became apparent pretty quickly it was needed across the board," she said.

"It's very disturbing," said O'Connor, 81, the first woman to serve on the nation's highest court. "I want to educate several generations of young people so we won't have the lack of public knowledge we have today."

Maybe she and Ravitch should join forces...