New Hampshire schools' social studies standards are expected to get an update this year. The proposed updates from the DOE come after mounting concern among some lawmakers over the lack of history and civics in public education.
"It's critical for our democracy that one, people know how it works and two, people know how to get involved if they are upset and want to change it," says Rep. Garrett Muscatel of Hanover.
Muscatel served on a committee studying how to improve civic engagement in New Hampshire. The group found that teachers are spending less and less time on social studies, which includes the subjects of history, economics, geography, anthropology and civics.
The group has put forward a bill to continue their work, and will propose legislation next year.