Iowa lawmakers revive social studies curriculum bill, with focus on 'Western civilization'

Iowa lawmakers are on the brink of passing new social studies requirements that include a focus on "Western civilization," among other themes and topics. Senate Republicans revived the proposal in a last-minute amendment to a separate bill Tuesday, approving a plan for the State Board of Education to review and revise Iowa's social studies standards — over the objections of Democrats. Those new standards would be required to include instruction on the structure of government, civics and "exemplary figures and important events in Western civilization, the United States and the...