Islam Removed From Tn. Social Studies Draft

Most of the Tennessee middle school social studies standards involving Islam have been removed from new draft standards undergoing public comment in Tennessee through Oct. 28.

In seventh grade, where studies of Islam are concentrated in current standards, the whole section of “Islamic World, 400 A.D./C.E. – 1500s” has been removed in the draft, which went online from the state Board of Education for public review and input Sept. 15. However, the diffusion of Islam into culture will be a part of the curriculum.

The draft standards open for comment at https://apps.tn.gov/tcas/ include in some form most of the current religions involving Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and others.

An appointed Standards Recommendation Committee will make the ultimate recommendation for new social studies standards to the SBE in early 2017. Implementation will take place in the 2019-20 school year. The 2018-19 school year will serve as a transition and training year for educators on the new standards.

According to comments seen in the Kingsport Times – News:

“What Tennesseans will see in the revised social studies standards are that they have increased clarity and manageability and are age-appropriate,” Laura Encalade, director of policy and research at the State Board of Education, said via email after a question to McKenzie Manning, communications coordinator for the state board, about the removal of Islam from the standards. Department of Education spokeswoman Chandler Hopper said the department is not involved with the new standards proposal and will not be involved until new standards are adopted. Then it will put out guidance to school systems on the new standards.

“The educator teams sought to address a mixture of themes that were raised through the public review. To see specific changes, we encourage Tennesseans to take their own look at the standards and leave their ideas and comments,” Encalade said. “We are eager for all Tennesseans to participate in this important part of the process.”

Read the rest of the Kingsport News Times Article here.

See the TBSE Social Studies Draft here.