Quality history education in the 21st century: Principles and guidelines

Smart, Dean

Abstract

History education has an important role to play in confronting the current political, cultural and social challenges facing Europe; in particular, those posed by the increasingly diverse nature of societies, the integration of migrants and refugees into Europe, and by attacks on democracy and democratic values. The overall aim of these Principles and guidelines, therefore, is to enhance the expertise and capability needed if history education is to play that role successfully. They build on the Council of Europe’s vision of history teaching as reflected in a number of key documents of the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly.

The main input has come from four regional seminars held during the period 2016-2017 in the framework of the intergovernmental project Educating for diversity and democracy: teaching history in contemporary Europe. They brought together government officials and practitioners in history education from all member states. The seminars focused on three main themes: building diverse, inclusive and democratic societies; dealing with sensitive and controversial issues; and developing critical historical thinking in the digital age.

These Principles and guidelines are addressed primarily to those politicians, officials and others in each member state who are responsible for the development of the school history curriculum; but they are also for those teachers and teacher trainers whose role it is to deliver the curriculum to students. Ideally, however, it is hoped that all who have an interest in the nature, quality and impact of the history taught in schools – including students, their parents and the wider public – will find these Principles and guidelines useful. Although the Principles and guidelines are specific to the teaching and learning of history, they should be viewed in the context of the wider educational aims and commitment expressed by the Council of Europe, the European Commission and UNESCO.
Available in English, French and Portuguese. Downloadable in English)
https://rm.coe.int/prems-108118-gbr-2507-quality-history-education-web-21x21/16808eace7

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Publication Date: 2018
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2023
• Pages: 30
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10382410
• Publisher URL: https://rm.coe.int/prems-108118-gbr-2507-quality-history-education-web-21x21/16808eace7
• Additional Information: https://rm.coe.int/prems-108118-gbr-2507-quality-history-education-web-21x21/16808eace7