The Core Ideas of 'Lessons from History: Essential Understandings and Historical Perspectives Students Should Acquire.' ERIC Digest.

This digest discusses "Lessons From History," the report of the National Center for History in the Schools at the University of California, Los Angeles. The report provides a rationale for the study of history throughout the K-12 curriculum and specifies core ideas, themes, and topics that undergird both content and performance standards in United States history and world history. The study of history must reflect the three ultimate purposes of education in a free society: to prepare individuals for (1) active citizenship, to safeguard liberty and justice; (2) a career of work, to sustain life; and (3) the private pursuit of happiness, or personal fulfillment. Many recent reports from a variety of sources have emphasized that the importance of history requires a significant increase in the time currently devoted to the subject in most schools. No less than four full years of history should be required of all students between grades 7-12, and history should also be included in ways appropriate to the students' capabilities in the K-6 grades. Three years and two years respectively are recommended for U.S. history and world history. Selecting specific historical topics and content requires an organizational structure based on enduring themes and questions that exemplify the human experience. This digest lists and discusses the major themes presented in "Lessons From History," namely: (1) the development and changing character of human societies; (2) the economic and technological development of societies, resulting in the continual quest to sustain and improve the quality of life; (3) peoples' understanding of themselves, their place in the universe, and the quest for meaning; and (4) the development of political theories and democracy. The digest concludes by describing seven principles found by the report to be associated with effective teaching and learning of history. A list of ERIC resources is included. (DK)