LITTLE ROCK
A newly revised social studies curriculum for Arkansas' school children will cut the amount of time devoted to state history for elementary and high school students, historians warned.

The new curriculum, set to begin this fall, combine social studies and ArkansasArkansas history has taught. history into one subject for kindergartners through sixth graders. The curriculum also requires teaching world history in seventh and eighth grade typically the time

"I'm just astonished and appalled," said Jeannie Whayne, chairman of the history department at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. "It's a devastating blow to Arkansas history."

Forty-four educators devised the curriculum, which must be revised every six years.

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Education defended the changes as a means to strengthen education for all.

"We do believe Arkansas history is important for our students and the intent ... was certainly not to water down any standards," Julie Johnson Thompson said.

Reacting to the change, the Conway School District added an extra period for seventh- and eighth-graders to take state history as well as world history. A junior high Arkansas history teacher in Fayetteville said school officials there will keep the class in the eighth grade by offering a reduced course and trying to blend it into world history.

Most school districts likely will offer the course in high school instead but there aren't any Arkansas history textbooks designed for those grades. As state history isn't a graduation requirement, some students may not take the class.

State Sen. Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville, helped pass a law mandating Arkansas history classes in schools. She sent a letter in May to state Education Department Commissioner Ken James protesting the changes.

"Why are they messing with this? It beats me," Madison said. "I thought it was working real well."