Title: Chapter 3: American History in the Classroom | AHA
Headings: 
Chapter 3: American History in the Classroom
A. The Status of American History in the Schools
B. The Status of American History in the Colleges
Major Studies Consulted

Content: They frequently specify that American history shall be taught, but not whether it is to be an elective or a required subject. As a general rule one can assume that nearly all the early laws ( i.e. those passed before about 1900) on this subject apply to the elementary schools. In such cases the legislators generally intended that American history should be taught in the upper grades, that is VII and VIII. More recent laws on this subject have been quite generally directed at the high schools, and in application this has meant the two upper grades, XI or XII. This study undertakes to present an accurate and complete picture of the statutory requirements. The difficulties are numerous. For example, the laws concerning the teaching of state history, state documents, the federal Constitution, the state constitution, and American institutions and ideals, are interpreted in some states as implying a mandate to teach United States history. The phrase “American institutions and ideals” appears in the school laws of Arizona, California, Wyoming, Georgia, South Carolina, and two or three other states. In some states the department of education, the attorney general, or the courts have construed this phrase to mean that American history shall be taught. Whether one should say, in such instances, that it is required by law or by regulation of the department of education is a moot point.