Noem releases social study standards burnishing U.S. history

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) ” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Monday released a revised proposal for social studies standards in public schools that lays out a mostly shining vision of American history, after an initial draft of the standards came under heavy criticism last year from conservatives and Native American educators.The Republican governor claimed the new proposed standards are free from œpolitical agendas and include an increased focus on Native American history. But they received swift criticism from some educators as a thinly-veiled political document. They emphasize the qualities of America's founders and mimic language Noem has used as she jumped on the conservative cause of weeding certain œdivisive teachings on race from public schools. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]