(WXYZ) — For the first time in more than a decade, the way students learn social studies is changing.
Michigan’s State Board of Education voted six to two to adopt new standards.
The goal of these new standards is to be more inclusive — to explain all different types of cultures within social studies.
This is the first time in 12 years any changes have been made to how social studies is taught in the classroom. Now classes will showcase more history including women, Muslims, African-Americans and other minority groups.
Education officials say it will take five years for teachers to undergo professional development to teach the new curriculum. They will also need to rewrite the 146 page revised standard into the state assessment.
The change comes after nearly two dozen people spoke out against the current social studies standards to Michigan’s State Board of Education –calling the current teachings "unfair and unbalanced."
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