by Dylan Carlson Sirvent, ’19
UAHS Social Studies teacher Linda Carmichael was one of many teachers, district curriculum specialists, and teacher coaches invited to be part of a revision committee whose purpose is to update the Ohio state’s social studies curriculum; it has not been revised since 2010. The committee met from April 1st to 2nd, and will reconvene on April 25 for two days to finalize the revisions and updates to the curriculum.
Carmichael believes it is important to revise the state’s curriculum and standards in order for it to better fit students’ learning needs.
“We are on the frontline with the students. We can see what does and doesn’t work. If the students are missing something in the puzzle or something in the standards is missing or could be too much,” Carmichael said. “It is important to revise the standards when necessary in order to improve the learning experience for our students and teachers.”
Some students, nonetheless, feel that they are not given large enough of a voice when it comes to deciding the curriculum and standards.
Freshman Jesse Price thinks that while politicians should be involved in deciding the educational curriculum, they currently have too much influence, and do not give students enough of a voice.
“I think [politicians] should have an influence to an extent on our educational curriculum but not too much. I think that [politicians and administrators] should give us more of a voice, the chance to provide input,” Price said.
However, Carmichael believes that teachers accurately represent their students, but said that she understands why students can be frustrated.
“For the students, I can understand how they can feel limited and restricted when it comes to having a voice in how they learn, or what they learn,” Carmichael said. “There isn’t a whole lot of latitude. But, once the state’s standards are in the hands of the teachers, they can adjust to better fit their classroom or students.”