Teaching American Values: The Role of Social Studies Texbooks in the U.S.

The study addresses the role of social studies textbooks in the U.S. in teaching values to students. Although there is no unified curriculum for social studies in the U.S., individual U.S. states, or groups of states, might opt to use the same textbook. American social studies books emphasize the values of good citizenship, cooperation, mutual dependence and tolerance in a country characterized by wide ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. Textbooks also emphasize information-seeking skills, which are necessary in any active democratic situation. Social studies textbooks undertake the mission of teaching the components of the American national identity, and this allows to view  values and beliefs prevalent in American society. On the other hand, the study addresses the development of American social concepts and values from the white racist era to the current era of cultural pluralism, a concept built around freedom, separation between religion and the State, individualism, authority of the law and human rights. The study discusses five groups of standards, issued in the 1990’s, that are used in teaching social studies. They constitute a platform for developing social studies curricula in different U.S. states and for assessing students  achievement in this subject. American textbook publishers, thus, have at their disposal standards that traditionally present the U.S. as a constantly forward-looking country, and one in which every individual can achieve success.