Haslam: Learning Tennessee history ‘critical’ for students
GALLATIN, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says he’s concerned that too much Tennessee history could be stripped from teaching requirements in the state’s public schools under an update to social studies standards.
A draft version would remove a slew of Tennessee events from U.S. history courses, including major milestones in the civil rights movements for minorities and women and several key Civil War battles fought on state soil.
Haslam told reporters on Monday that he has heard complaints from several people about the proposed changes but that he hasn’t yet studied them himself.
The governor said he’s confident the professional educators involved in the review process will recognize Tennessee history is “critical for people growing up in our schools system.”
The public comment period for the new standards ends Oct. 28.
