Virginia education board approves new history standards

After more than eight months of debate, the Virginia Board of Education approved new guidance for what students will learn in history and social studies classes from kindergarten through 12th grade. The board voted unanimously Thursday morning on the Standards of Learning, the state’s outline and principles for academic subjects to guide what’s taught in public school. Under state law, the standards are reviewed every seven years in a typically quiet and mundane process. But this year’s review drew an unprecedented level of attention and scrutiny as the board and...