Commentary on the intent of Pennsylvania's History Standards

History is a discipline that interprets and analyzes the past.  It should be taught as narrative--using the fascinating stories of people and their journeys.  In order to tell the story it is not sufficient to simply recall facts; it is critical to understand the context of the time and place and to apply historical thinking skills to the story.   History is our contact with the past, our individual and societal roots. 

Understanding the challenges and opportunities through the ages helps each of us to forge our future.  The Pennsylvania Educational Alliance for Citizenship realizes that knowledge of history is the cement that binds our communities, state, nation and the world together on the human journey.

Pennsylvania has academic standards for history that were designed to apply an understanding of key concepts to help identify a common cultural literacy.  Each student should be able to demonstrate proficiency in historical thinking and National History Day in Pennsylvania is an exemplary program designed to use the varied strengths of each student.