Reply #25: "our schools," "the schools" and what we teach:

[LWolf]

We teach state standards and benchmarks. Go to your state's education websight and search the standards and benchmarks to see if they are there.

Most history/social studies frameworks don't include much government in elementary school. The curriculum is usually designed around developmental stages, starting with "all about ME" in kindergarten, progressing to my family, neighborhood, community, local region, and then, by about 4th grade, state history, with U.S. history happening in 5th grade, again in 8th, and again in high school.

The first real look at governments happen in 6th grade with the growth and development of ancient civilizations, including Greece and Rome.

While this varies from state to state, the progression is actually pretty close. Classrooms may touch on modern government, but it's not usually a strong focus until 8th grade, when the Constitution is studied (introduced in 5th grade, but explored in more depth in 8th).

That's if all of those standards and benchmarks are actually being taught. In reality, under NCLB, schools focus intensely on reading and math, to the detriment of everything else. When the district is facing sanctions for not making "adequate yearly progress" in reading and math according to the set formula, we are told directly to de-emphasize everything but reading and math. Not to quit teaching it entirely, of course. Just not to spend too much of our time or energy on those things not tested.

I certainly don't want to spend all year long testing social studies, science, PE, music, art, citizenship, penmanship, and everything else we are supposed to do in addition to the constant testing in reading and math. Perhaps less testing, fewer threats, and more time to teach ALL of the curriculum would help.

Edited to add links to your state standards.

elementary:

http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/documents.asp?section=54&sort=5&footer=sections

grades 7 - 12

http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/documents.asp?section=54&sort=12&footer=sections