This week, the Massachusetts' Board of Education unanimously approved new K-12 history standards despite criticism that the guidelines were rushed and weighted more heavily toward facts than concepts. The state maintains that the public had ample time to offer input, as the standards' two-year development included numerous meetings with teachers and community groups. The standards - which take effect immediately, although the MCAS history exam won't be administered until 2005-2006 - include a mandatory unit on Africa but place greater emphasis on Western civilization. "History standards for schools OK'd," by Michele Kurtz, The Boston Globe, October 23, 2002
