Social studies MEAP means less to students, but matters to schools

Detroit Free Press ^ | 12/01/03 | LORI HIGGINS

[Holly_P]

Mallory Sutika was serious last April when she sat down with a No. 2 pencil to take the social studies MEAP. But around her, it was a different story.

Some students slept. Some made designs with their answer sheets. Some didn't show up at all.

[expatpat]

Social Studies teaching has become so overloaded with socialist propaganda that it's just as well the kids aren't paying attention.

[DeepDish]

"The federal No Child Left Behind Act, the law that forces more accountability of public schools, evaluates schools in reading, math and science, but not social studies."

In order to learn anything in social studies the kids have to know haw to read, they have to have math skills to evaluate surveys and such, but if they study science they will realize that social science makes voodoo economics look like Newton's Laws of motion. And that is why the social studies shamans are so upset about the change in emphasis.

[gcruse]

"You're deliberately setting this test up for failure, and the school districts along with it," said Joel Burkey, a social studies teacher at Allen Park High.

 Rep. Brian Palmer, R-Romeo, chairman of the House Education Committee, said the testimony has him considering a change.

Instead of having the social studies exam included in the merit award, Palmer would have it removed from consideration when the state calculates school report cards.


LOL  Be careful about fighting for a change, Burkey.    You just might get one!!!