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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Heidi
Kay, (727) 786-3580
Why
History’s a Mystery
Award-winning teacher explains results of the nation’s
report card
(PALM
HARBOR, Flor.) According to the
results of the U.S. Education Department’s National Assessment of
Educational Progress released May 9, nearly six in 10 of the nation’s high
school seniors know neither the basic facts of U.S. History nor understand
their importance. Why?
“The
report is going to cite several valid reasons for why our children don’t
understand even the basic premise of historical events,” says Alan N. Kay,
a veteran history teacher. “But the underlying cause as to why they
don’t know this information is because we have failed to make
it an important issue.”
The
NAEP, known as the nation’s “report card,” shows that 57 percent of
high school seniors could not perform at even the most basic level of
knowledge; these results are nearly the same as when the first NAEP test was
given in 1994. The test, given to 29,000 fourth, eighth and 12th
graders at 110 public and private schools, shows that scores were worse in
American History than in any other subject.
According
to Kay, American history educators focus too much on what should be taught,
on defining just what should be considered ‘history.’ Instead of placing
emphasis on facts and figures, Kay believes history should be made relevant
to today’s society.
“Take
a look at the events of September 11,” says Kay. “In the future, what
was once the most dramatic, life-altering event of the 21st
Century will be reduced to nothing more than a few emotionless lines on a
page. How can we expect our kids to learn when even the most extraordinary
events are boring?”
As
a guest, Kay can discuss:
- A
teacher’s perspective on our nation’s problems with history
education
- Why
and how current textbooks should be replaced
- Why
determining what exactly should be taught as history is difficult
- How
to making teaching history educational and fun
- Why
this underscores the need for new education laws implementing stricter
testing and parental control in schools
Kay
is the author of The Young Heroes of History, a historical fiction
series for young adults. The series seeks to teach its readers important
lessons from the Civil War while also showing that events in history are
interesting and fun. Writing the books as an alternative to dull, dry
textbooks, Kay created the collection to excite kids about learning.
Kay is the recipient of the 2002 Daughters of the
American Revolution Florida Teacher of the Year award and the 2001 Florida
History Fair Teacher of the Year. Kay has also developed award-winning
curriculum for teachers and given many workshops on education topics such as
using historical fiction in the classroom and how to participate in National
History Day. For more
information, visit: www.youngheroesofhistory.com.
For
more information on The Young Heroes of History series or to schedule
an
interview with Kay, please call
Heidi
Kay, (727) 786-3580
or send an e-mail to
PR at Young Heroes of History
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