Senate would require world history lessons in high school

May 20, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate has signed off on legislation that would require high-school lessons in world history.

Senate Bill 96 calls for one unit of instruction of world history or civilizations as part of social studies classes, starting in the ninth grade.

Students are required to complete three units of social studies in order to receive their diplomas. One of those units, under state law, focuses on U.S. history and government.

World history already is being taught in all Ohio schools, because it is part of the state’s testing requirements, said state Sen. Frank LaRose of Copley, R-27th, the primary sponsor of the legislation.

However, tests in coming years no longer will include a world-history section.

“There was a concern that was raised by social-studies teachers and others around the state that if it’s not required and it’s not tested, then there could be the unfortunate choice that perhaps some schools make to eliminate the study of world history,” LaRose said. “I don’t think that any of us would want Ohio’s students to be graduating from high school with no exposure to world history.”

LaRose said the proposed law change would not stipulate a particular curriculum.

SB 96 passed on a vote of 96-0 and heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.