The Standards - An Evolving Presence

Abstract

The recently published National Standards for United States History will not be read with much enthusiasm by classroom teachers. The forces of suspicion, economics, time, and tradition count for much. Because of these impediments, the Standards can best hope to influence teachers gradually.

Lynne Cheney, former chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and her allies have the new standards on the run. Striking the first blow in the New York Times, she accused the Standards of being politically correct, of ignoring traditional U.S. history, and of featuring negative aspects of this nation's development. By this attack, which was followed by more criticisms in the national media, she has won the advantage in the battle for public opinion. A long shadow of suspicion has fallen over the Standards.