In a recent Ipsos-Reid survey, subjects English, Math and Science have taken the spotlight, while History hides bashfully in the wings. The poll indicates that Canadians feel history is not relevant to daily life. “Only one in ten (8%) young adults rank history as the academic subject that has most prepared them to succeed in their everyday life”, while English, Math and science ranked at 47%, 28%, and 16% respectively. [i]
History’s low ranking is somewhat surprising as 89% of respondents felt that history was an essential subject which should be mandatory in high school. It seems while the value of history in the classroom is recognized, there is a disconnect between history and its real life application.
While English, Math and Science unquestionably provide students with life skills, history should not be overlooked. History teaches people a very significant life skill that is often forgotten: the ability to think critically. So, maybe history doesn’t teach a person something tangible, such as sentence fragments or algebraic formulas, but it does teach them to be skeptical and discerning. Contrary to the popular belief of history studies, studying history isn’t about knowing as much as possible about any one past event, but rather, it is about understanding how to interpret the past. In developing skills to evaluate history, we are also developing skills that pertain to our everyday lives. The skills acquired through the study of history aren’t as obvious as those acquired from science or math; however, they are pervasive and essential to daily life. Perhaps, if it can be acknowledged that history is relevant in providing life skills, more than 4 provinces will have mandatory high school history courses...
[i] Ipsos Reid / Dominion Institute Remembrance Day Survey:This Year The Annual Dominion Institute / Ipsos-Reid Remembrance Day Survey Looks What Can Be Done To Improve The Teaching Of History In Schools. These Results Form The Basis Of A Series Of Practical Policy Recommendations That The Dominion Institute Is Making To Improve History Instruction In Canada. November 8, 2007, http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=3713.
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