Hinsdale D86 Backs Off Reversing Social Studies Changes

DARIEN, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Thursday backed off a proposal to immediately reverse social studies teachers' long-term changes to courses.

The debate got heated, with member Debbie Levinthal accusing the district of having "snuck" in courses to the program of studies. She immediately took back the word "snuck."

Levinthal initially called for reversing the changes. But then member Peggy James proposed the board pause curriculum changes in social studies. Meanwhile, the board's newly created Academic Committee could review what's happening.

Levinthal agreed to that proposal.

The board voted 5-2 for the pause, with members Terri Walker and Asma Akhras dissenting.

The vote comes after the social studies teachers who proposed the changes said in a statement that a reversal would cause their colleagues' morale to drop.

And acting Superintendent Chris Covino, who is leaving at month's end, warned in May that a reversal would be "very rash."

Levinthal's biggest problem with the changes was replacing Advanced Placement European history in the sophomore year of the honors track with AP modern world history. AP European history is set to become an elective for juniors and seniors.

She also took exception to the proposed ending of African American history, East Asian studies and philosophy honors. The content from those classes, the teachers said, would be incorporated into other courses such as American diversity.

During the debate, member Asma Akhras said AP modern world history and AP European history involve the same skills and the same level of rigor.

"The difference is in the content," she said.

Levinthal, however, called AP Modern world history "a very fast course, more broad."

"AP European history allows you to dig deeper into content," she said.

She said AP European history has a long record of success and is well-taught.

In fall 2021, the district presented the board, including Levinthal, with the proposed social studies changes. The plan included the replacement of AP European history with AP modern world history in the honors track.

But it was far less detailed than a March presentation, which sparked opposition.

"The prior board was asked to approve this after a four-slide presentation with very little detail," Levinthal said.

The courses, she alleged, were "snuck" into the program of studies.

"I'll take the word 'snuck' out," she said immediately afterward. "I've had a problem with curriculum adoption since before I got seated on this board."

Members said a new process is needed for curriculum changes, with a requirement that teachers touch base every so often with the board.

During public comments, residents took both sides of the social studies debate.

Hinsdale Central senior Anya Raman urged the board to keep AP European history in the sophomore year. She said the course led her to consider studying the discipline in college. She said she was troubled by the lack of student input.

Raman also urged against an "all or nothing" mentality.

"Why can't we have both (courses)?" she asked.

In an email to the board Thursday, former board President Erik Held asked members not to reverse the changes.

Held, whose term ended last month, pointed to data showing a big dropoff in students taking honors-level history in the sophomore year.

"While AP Euro has been great in that slot for those who take it, we needed to examine ways to expand enrollment in advanced history sophomore year across the District and especially at Central," Held said. "AP modern world, hardly an untested course and structured to teach the identical set of skills at the same level of rigor, is the recommendation of the team who have dedicated their professional lives to creating history/social studies curriculum."

He also said, "Stay the course, and that goes for eliminating the low-enrollment Honors Philosophy elective (that never ran at South)."

Held noted the board unanimously supported the changes in October 2021.

"Not remembering that is no reason to undo it," Held said.