Skimpy requirements and declining enrollments in history classes are contributing to a decline in students' knowledge of the past. Earlier generations of American students commonly learned the history of American institutions, politics, and systems of gov- ernment, as well as some of the history of Greece, Rome, Europe, and the rest of the world. Today, most States require the study of only American history and other course work in social studies.
Indications are that students now know and understand less about history.
In most State requirements for high school graduation, a choice is offered between history on the one hand and courses in social science and contemporary social issues on the other. Most high school students, even those in the academic track, take only one history course. Students enroll in honors courses in history at less than half the rate they enroll for honors courses in English and science. Typically, requirements have also declined for writing essays, producing research-based papers, and reading original sources. As a result, students know too little about the past.