Holocaust, Black History and History of Women Unit of Instruction Report

ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

100 North First Street

Springfield, IL 62777

217/782-2948

DATE: October 15, 1999

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: The Honorable James "Pate" Philip, Senate President

The Honorable Emil Jones, Senate Democratic Leader

The Honorable Michael J. Madigan, Speaker of the House

The Honorable Lee A. Daniels, House Republican Leader

FROM: Glenn W. M^cGee

State Superintendent of Education

SUBJECT: Holocaust, Black History and History of Women Unit of Instruction Report

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 2-3.110 of the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5/2-3.110] the following information is presented to "conduct a statistical, random sample of school districts in every educational service region that will enable it to determine the manner in which the Holocaust, Black History and History of Women unit of instruction studies required by Sections 27-20.3, 27-20.4 and 27-20.5 [105 ILCS 5/27-20.3, 105 ILCS 5/27-20.4, and 105 ILCS 5/27-20.5] are being implemented in the common schools." In accordance with the statute, the report includes, for each of the three units of instruction categories, the findings for each of the three units of instruction categories, the findings with respect to the average amount of instruction time qualifying as a unit of instruction and the curricula and grades in which that instruction is being offered.

cc: Governor George Ryan

Tony Rossi, Clerk of the House

Jim Harry, Secretary of the Senate

Legislative Research Unit

State Government Report Center

Holocaust, Black History and History of Women Unit of Instruction Report

For the purpose of gathering information, the attached form ISBE 33-90, was developed and sent to the regional superintendents to distribute to each of the 895 public school districts currently operating in Illinois. The form was designed to determine the grade levels at which instruction was offered, the amount of instructional time allocated and the type of district offering instruction regarding the manner in which the Holocaust, Black History and History of Women are being implemented in the schools to qualify as a unit of instruction.

Out of the 895 school districts currently operating, 727 (81%) districts responded to the survey. Of the 727 responses, 551 (75%) submitted "usable" data to determine the amount of time allocated for each of the three areas of study in order to clearly establish the amount of instructional time, which would qualify as a unit of instruction. For the purpose of clarification, "usable" data was limited to those responses that addressed time elements of instruction by either minutes and/or hours spent per grade levels for each of the three areas of study.

The following presents a breakdown of responses received by type of district and usable data:

Number/Type of Districts	Responses-%	Usable Data Responses-%
385 Elementary	309-(80%)	229 out of 309 received (80.2%)
102 Secondary	82-(77.4%)	65 out of 82 received (77.4%)
402 Unit	336-(82.3%)	257 out of 336 received (82.3%)
Total 895 Districts	727-(81%)	551 out of 727 received (75%)

Each response with "usable" data was arranged as to type of district, and a tabulation of instruction time allocated for each of the three subject areas was determined for each grade level in which each specific area of study was offered. In order to interpret such data, it should be noted that each specific area of instruction was not offered at each grade level. For example, one district may offer a specific area of study in three grade levels while another district may offer the same specific area of study in four different grade levels.

The following presents a breakdown of the 227 responses from elementary school programs in the areas of Holocaust studies, Black History and Women's History, by grade levels, number of districts offering the studies by grade level and time elements of instructional time (in hours) offered:

Elementary District Programs

Holocaust Studies

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	10 hours	4 schools	2.5 hours
First Grade	32.8 hours	16 schools	2.05 hours
Second Grade	52.3 hours	27 schools	1.9 hours
Third Grade	60.5 hours	28 schools	2.2 hours
Fourth Grade	187 hours	52 schools	3.6 hours
Fifth Grade	400.6 hours	49 schools	4.0 hours
Sixth Grade	534.8 hours	98 schools	5.5 hours
Seventh Grade	764.6 hours	135 schools	5.6 hours
Eighth Grade	1241 hours	220 schools	5.6 hours
Totals	3,283.6 hours	629 schools (grade levels)

Black History

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	206 hours	78 schools	2.6 hours
First Grade	314 hours	104 schools	3 hours
Second Grade	347.5 hours	112 schools	3.1 hours
Third Grade	486 hours	129 schools	4.3 hours
Fourth Grade	641 hours	137 schools	4.7 hours
Fifth Grade	847.1 hours	155 schools	5.5 hours
Sixth Grade	1019.9 hours	169 schools	6 hours
Seventh Grade	1151 hours	184 schools	6.3 hours
Eighth Grade	1497 hours	211 schools	7.1 hours
Totals	6,509.5 hours	1,279 schools (grade levels)

History of Women

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	147 hours	66 schools	2.2 hours
First Grade	226.5 hours	99 schools	2.3 hours
Second Grade	301.3 hours	110 schools	2.7 hours
Third Grade	421.7 hours	122 schools	3.4 hours
Fourth Grade	436 hours	139 schools	3.1 hours
Fifth Grade	603 hours	153 schools	3.9 hours
Sixth Grade	650 hours	159 schools	4.1 hours
Seventh Grade	768 hours	154 schools	4.9 hours
Eighth Grade	1154 hours	209 schools	5.5 hours
Totals	4,705.5 hours	1,211 schools (grade levels)

An examination of the data, submitted by elementary district programs, indicates the placing of a greater emphasis on Black History studies (6,509.5 hours) when compared to the total number of hours of instruction provided for Holocaust studies (3,283.6 hours) and History of Women (4,705.5 hours). The data also indicates a steady progression in the average number of hours of instruction at each of the various grade levels. In each of these specific areas of study, the emphasis on the total number of hours offered and the number of schools offering instruction by grade levels occurs at the seventh and eighth grades. The average number of hours of instruction at the seventh and eighth grade levels totals 11.2 hours for Holocaust studies, 13.4 hours for Black History, and 10.4 hours for History of Women.

To determine the average amount of instructional time qualifying as a unit of instruction in each of the curricular areas, divide the total numbers offered in each of the curricular areas by the number of schools offering instruction at each grade level. Therefore, the average time qualifying as a unit of instruction is as follows:

5.2 hours of instruction for Holocaust studies per grade level
5.1 hours of instruction for Black History per grade level
3.9 hours of instruction for History of Women per grade level

High School Programs

Holocaust Studies

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Ninth Grade	115.5 hours	35 schools	3.3 hours
Tenth Grade	133.0 hours	36 schools	3.7 hours
Eleventh Grade	215 hours	55 schools	3.9 hours
Twelfth Grade	112.5 hours	30 schools	3.7 hours
Totals	576.6 hours	156 schools	3.6 hours

Black History

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Ninth Grade	191 hours	30 schools	6.4 hours
Tenth Grade	225 hours	35 schools	6.4 hours
Eleventh Grade	493.5 hours	59 schools	8.4 hours
Twelfth Grade	318 hours	22 schools	14.4 hours
Totals	1,227 hours	146 schools	8.4 hours

History of Women

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Ninth Grade	103 hours	32 schools	3.2 hours
Tenth Grade	141 hours	43 schools	3.3 hours
Eleventh Grade	208 hours	42 schools	4.9 hours
Twelfth Grade	145.5 hours	38 schools	3.8 hours
Totals	597.5 hours	155 schools	3.8 hours

The examination of the data submitted by high school districts shows a greater emphasis of instruction occurred at the eleventh grade level as indicated by both the total number of hours offered and the number of schools offering instruction by grade level. A comparison of the data from the high school districts with the data from elementary school districts again shows a rather steady progression in the average number of hours of instruction at each grade level. The high school programs offer more hours of instruction (1,227 hours) in Black History than the combined hours of instruction (1,174.1 hours) offered in the areas of Holocaust studies and History of Women.

By utilizing the same method as used in determining the average amount of instructional time qualifying as a unit of instruction for each of the curriculum areas at the elementary level, the following represents the amount of instructional time for a unit of instruction for high school programs:

3.7 hours of instruction for Holocaust studies per grade level
8.4 hours of instruction for Black History per grade level
3.8 hours of instruction for History of Women per grade level

Unit District Programs
Holocaust Studies

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	22 hours	19 schools	1.2 hours
First Grade	31 hours	24 schools	1.3 hours
Second Grade	42 hours	34 schools	1.2 hours
Third Grade	117.5 hours	62 schools	1.9 hours
Fourth Grade	228.6 hours	91 schools	2.5 hours
Fifth Grade	284.7 hours	131 schools	2.2 hours
Sixth Grade	636.5 hours	155 schools	4.1 hours
Seventh Grade	547 hours	125 schools	4.4 hours
Eighth Grade	980 hours	211 schools	4.6 hours
Ninth Grade	537 hours	111 schools	4.8 hours
Tenth Grade	832 hours	151 schools	5.5 hours
Eleventh Grade	1250 hours	125 schools	10.0 hours
Twelfth Grade	805 hours	141 schools	5.7 hours
Totals	6,313.3 hours	1,380 schools (grade levels)

Black History

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	182 hours	104 schools	1.7 hours
First Grade	267 hours	123 schools	2.2 hours
Second Grade	373 hours	113 schools	3.3 hours
Third Grade	460 hours	168 schools	2.7 hours
Fourth Grade	578 hours	95 schools	6.0 hours
Fifth Grade	1092 hours	190 schools	5.7 hours
Sixth Grade	747 hours	164 schools	4.5 hours
Seventh Grade	840 hours	176 schools	4.8 hours
Eighth Grade	1245 hours	130 schools	9.6 hours
Ninth Grade	599 hours	134 schools	4.5 hours
Tenth Grade	542 hours	168 schools	3.8 hours
Eleventh Grade	1460 hours	224 schools	6.5 hours
Twelfth Grade	763 hours	125 schools	6.1 hours
Totals	8,575 hours	1,914 schools (grade levels)

History of Women

GRADE LEVELS	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OFFERED	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING INSTRUCTION AT GRADE LEVEL	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS
Kindergarten	116.5 hours	71 schools	1.6 hours
First Grade	182 hours	141 schools	1.6 hours
Second Grade	301 hours	137 schools	2.2 hours
Third Grade	364 hours	138 schools	2.6 hours
Fourth Grade	424 hours	169 schools	2.5 hours
Fifth Grade	616 hours	165 schools	3.7 hours
Sixth Grade	705 hours	129 schools	5.5 hours
Seventh Grade	698 hours	122 schools	5.7 hours
Eighth Grade	1103 hours	202 schools	5.5 hours
Ninth Grade	507 hours	117 schools	4.3 hours
Tenth Grade	537 hours	166 schools	3.2 hours
Eleventh Grade	1276 hours	126 schools	10.1 hours
Twelfth Grade	750 hours	152 schools	4.9 hours
Totals	7,579 hours	1,808 schools (grade levels)

An examination of the data received from unit district programs indicates a steady progression in the average number of hours of instruction that we have seen before in both data for elementary school district programs and high school district programs.

Again, dividing the total numbers offered in each of the curricular areas by the number of schools offering instruction by each grade level, the average amount of instructional time qualifying as a unit of instruction is as follows:

6.5 hours of instruction for Holocaust Studies per grade level
5.2 hours of instruction for Black History per grade level
5.4 hours of instruction for History of Women per grade level

Responses Not Included In Study

One hundred and seventy six (176) school districts responded to the study without identifying any time elements of instruction by either minutes and/or hours spent per grade level for each of the three areas of study. Generally, each of the 176 districts indicated that all three curricular areas were integrated into various instructional areas throughout the school year, with no definite amount of time for each subject area.

The majority of these districts indicated that they chose to integrate each of the study areas into their overall curriculum instead of isolating a specific element of time. In the area of Holocaust studies, many school districts indicated that students will view videos about the events that led to the Holocaust and the subject is interwoven into studies of World War II and referred to in class discussions about other historic periods. A surprising number of districts indicated the utilization of field trips to Holocaust museums in Chicago, St. Louis, Terre Haute, etc., as part of the Holocaust studies in order to meet the required course of study.

Most districts indicated that the contribution of blacks was taught throughout the curriculum, with special emphasis on the contributions of Martin Luther King and others. Special mention was made of Black History Month and that people, places, and events were highlighted by exhibits and class discussions.

In the area of History of Women, the districts indicated that the contribution of women was taught throughout the general curriculum and that during Women's History Month, individuals, places, and events were highlighted through exhibits and discussions.