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Veteran calls for social-studies focus on civic virtue amid new 'patriotic education' executive order
Summary
James Hanford, a Derby resident and more than 20-year military veteran, told the board he supports teaching civic virtue and critical thinking in social studies and sought an update on the district’s social-studies curriculum in light of a new executive order on "patriotic education."
At the Feb. 10 public-comment period, James Hanford of 8320 S. The Greenwich Road addressed the Derby Board of Education about social-studies curriculum and a newly referenced executive order that he said encourages a form of “patriotic education.”
Hanford, who identified himself as having more than 20 years of military service, asked for an update on what the district plans to teach in social studies and why. He urged emphasis on civic virtue and critical thinking rather than a narrowly defined patriotism. “To me, the core of social studies in schooling is to instill civic virtue, not patriotism, but virtue,” Hanford said.
He illustrated his point with an extended summary of the Peloponnesian War and the Melian dialogue, arguing that history’s patterns — fear, honor and interest — are relevant to students' ability to analyze current events. Hanford asked whether the district’s curriculum will give students space to think critically about history and its contemporary implications.
The meeting record does not show a detailed administrative response to his request during the public-comment period; Hanford said he wanted an update because the board had not approved a new social-studies curriculum yet.
