Meeting In Kalamazoo Tuesday To Discuss Social Studies Standards

The public will have a chance to weigh in on changes to the state’s Social Studies standards as Michigan Department of Education officials come to Kalamazoo Tuesday evening.

The MDE says that this stop is one of nine throughout the state, as the Department revises what should be taught to K-12 students. Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles says that these public comments will help experts “finalize the standards that will go before the State Board of Education for consideration in June”.

Some of the potential changes have been contentious, such as the use of the phrase “core democratic values” and inclusion of topics such as Climate Change and LGBT issues. The Detroit Free Press reports that some conservatives feel the standards are being skewed and biased to be more left-leaning.

The meeting Tuesday night is from 6 to 8pm at the Kalamazoo RESA building on East Milham Ave. in Portage; the meeting had originally been scheduled for Kalamazoo Central High School.