How Miguel Cardona can make U. S. history

Once confirmed, we need him to break through in a different way. We need him and the president to appoint a history education czar.

Connecticut’s Miguel Cardona is about to be part of history in the Biden administration as its education secretary- nominee. We’re proud of him and all he’s accomplished.

Once confirmed, we need him to break through in a different way. We need him and the president to appoint a history education czar.

For decades, federal “czars” have overseen specific critical issues. With each appointment, the government sought to address an immediate issue that either cut across multiple government agencies or was falling through the cracks in an existing federal office.

It’s time for history to receive this treatment.

A national study of high school students found that the only academic subject tomorrow’s leaders see as less valuable to their future careers and lives than history is art. For too many young people, the social studies are too boring and irrelevant to be a priority.

A Lincoln Park Strategies survey found 75 percent of U. S. adults believe one should have a strong understanding of American history to be a successful citizen. Yet only about four in 10 adults believe that today’s high school graduates possess that understanding.

Look at 2020 to understand how important a history education czar is to improving K– 12 and post- secondary education.

We’ve witnessed history happening before our eyes, from how the world addressed a global health pandemic to how our nation addressed the call of Black Lives Matter. We’ve seen the first woman and woman of color elected to the second- highest office. And we’ve watched this wondering that no matter how significant, how history- making, how will we effectively teach about 2020 in the future?

At the same time, some have sought to remove statues and building names of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, and others.

Some have gone after the presidential election with mentions of the Electoral College and constitutional amendments. But many do so without demonstrating a working understanding of their original meaning, how they’ve been interpreted and misinterpreted over the years, and how we can learn from the proper applications and improper abuses. Too many are clinging to, or rejecting, our collective history without fully understanding it.

Extraordinary K– 12 teachers make history come alive and inspire students to think like historians. These educators aren’t looking to create a generation of biographers or college professors. They, like the average American, recognize how important it is to have a core understanding. And they know that effective social studies instruction results in learners skilled in critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, and similar skills we have long sought from high school graduates.

Imagine a history education czar who:

Advocates for and celebrates educators who have moved beyond the dusty textbook used by their parents and grandparents to make history more interesting to their students;

Ensures that our classrooms are telling the full story of our nation’s history — the good, the bad, and the ugly — all in the name of showing today’s learners that people who looked just like them played a part in developing the nation;

Connects the work at the Education Department with the Labor Department, where one can demonstrate how the skills learned through meaningful history instruction is chock full of the skills that employers need from their workforce hires of tomorrow;

Brings those focused on education, innovation, civil rights, and a host of other offices within the Education Department to ensure that social studies is on equal standing with math and reading instruction; and

Demonstrates to states, school districts, philanthropy, the business community, and higher education that history education should hold the same level of importance as STEM education does.

Some candidates for this czar could be Tom Hanks, Lin- Manuel Miranda, David McCullough, Tom Brady, U. S. Sen Ben Sasse ( who holds his doctorate in American history from Yale University), Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ( who majored in American studies), soccer star Mia Hamm ( a political science major), or one of many impressive National Teachers of the Year.

We all benefit from thinking like historians. Reaping those benefits may only come through a czar who can advocate, agitate, elevate, spotlight, and celebrate history education.

Patrick Riccards is the CEO of the nonprofit Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement and former CEO of ConnCAN.