Posted on 06/06/2006 12:33:12 PM PDT by WestTexasWend
DALLAS (AP) - Texas ranked lowest among the nation's four southern border states in its standards for teaching Latin American and Mexican history, according to a national study released Monday.
The study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, said on a scale of zero to 10, Texas scored a five - just above the national average of 4.2.
California, meanwhile, scored a 10. Arizona scored a six and New Mexico scored an eight, said Walter Russell Meade, a senior fellow for the council on foreign relations who conducted the study based on a review of state education standards.
"It's likely that the state of world history education is a little worse than the standards since there isn't required testing," Meade said. "The subject might not be getting the kind of emphasis that it deserves."
Pat Hardy, a member of the state board of education and a history and geography teacher for the Weatherford Independent School District, disagreed with the analysis.
She said Texas uses a "spiraling curriculum" to teach world history which has more depth than most states because it introduces concepts at different levels and expands on them later.
"They have to understand that our standards are written in strands," Hardy said. "Students have been exposed all along the way to all aspects of the history, the government, the economics, the culture of the world. I think it's brilliant. The Fordham Institute doesn't know jack about teaching."
But at least one Texas lawmaker said the state still needs to increase its standards.
"It's a sad commentary that Texas, a border state, that's history is so intertwined with Mexico and Latin America, ranks so low on the scale," said Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes.
Many states fared even worse than Texas, where Hispanics made up about 35.3 percent of the populace in 2003, according to the U.S. Census.
Thirty states have vague education standards for world history and Latin American and Mexican studies, said Michael Petrilli, vice president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Alaska, Idaho, Missouri and Montana each received a score of zero for having "superficial or cursory" standards on how to teach World History.
"It's as if many states were not aware that there are countries and cultures south of the Rio Grande," Petrilli said.
we kicked santa anna's butt... that's all I need to know.
Maybe he was a Mooselimb.
"it's the only state that was once a country."
Except for Hawaii.
(descendant of Alamo Defender, here.)
Tip of the hat, you're right there pard.
Alamo decendant, you are probably decended from the "Old 300" in that case. Another tip of the hat...
Cortez's army of 600 was recruited in and sailed from Cuba and was later joined by another 1,400 men arriving from Cuba. The army totaled approximately 2,000 men when they captured Mexico City. So, we Cubans will claim braggin' rights for capturing Mexico with the fewest men. ;-)
"the Revolution of 1910"
I agree with many of the posters here that if you study Texas history you pick up a great deal of the history of Mexico anyway. I do wish that more attention was paid to that revolution however as it did shape what is now modern Mexico. 1910 to 1920 was less than 100 years ago and the generation that went through that war have only in the last few decades died off.
You're related to Deaf Smith? Now that's cool.
Yes, but the Old 300 are the newcomers in the family.
Original Texas ancestor was kicked out of Spain in 1492/3 and made it to Mexico, then Texas, not too long after that.
Ranch still sits on the Spanish land grant (which my grandmother (age 103) still has).
"You're related to Deaf Smith? Now that's cool."
Thanks. Good stock if I do say so myself. He was quite a man.
Awesome roots.
Our original "league of land" is out of the family, but I have the copy of the Spanish Land Grant, signed by Estevan F. Austin, John Austin, and Samuel M. Williams. It's dated August 3rd, 1824. (Just happen to have it in front of me.)
I'm just sure they teach Texas History in Mexico!I have been to Mexico countless times but they will never be bothered by me again. Spent my last peso in Mexico.
Shame on you! You get a C+ for today's Texas History lesson! :)
This apparently was a real incident: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/texas_rangers/
***
"The often cited "One Riot, One Ranger" appears to be based on several statements attributed to Captain McDonald by Albert Bigelow Paine in his classic book, Captain Bill McDonald: Texas Ranger. When sent to Dallas to prevent a scheduled prize-fight, McDonald supposedly was greeted at the train station by the city's anxious mayor [who had sent for a company of Rangers], who asked: "Where are the others?"
"To that, McDonald is said to have replied, "Hell! ain't I enough? There's only one prize-fight!"
***
The interesting thing is that history records that Ranger McDonald *did* successfully supress the prize-fight and potential riot - alone.
Too cool.
I waited until six or eight weeks into the course, after giving him an atta-boy for the initial selection of the course, and the I asked him to rate the course and instructor.
He replied, "Well dad, most of the class is finding it fairly tough, but since I have spent my life sitting at the dinner table with you, I have found it mostly just basic review.
LOL!
Your local resaurant has placemates? I feel so cheated.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.