Stories and Editorials
Stories and Editorials
The Atlantic
Washington Post
“Right now, American parents, politicians and educators are having the wrong fights with the wrong people about the wrong things, according to Defusing the History Wars, a new report by More in Common, a nonprofit that researches polarization. The study, based on surveys conducted this year with 2,500 American adults, is equal parts maddening and hopeful.”
Education Week
“How should schools teach the nation’s history? Americans are less divided than they think they are on the question, according to a new study. The report, from the international research and civic action group More in Common, adds to a growing body of evidence showing that most U.S. adults want teachers to focus on both the triumphs and the dark chapters of American history.”
The Bulwark
“Yes, to a point—and More in Common does a tremendous service by highlighting these mutual misunderstandings, which they call the “perception gap.” But it’s also a matter of knowing how to navigate our disagreements, because we still have them. Yes, there is broad agreement about what should be taught, but there is wide divergence on trust in the educational system. Fifty-six percent of Democrats, but only 27 percent of Republicans, say that “Most public schools in America are doing their best to teach American history accurately, without an agenda or bias.”
The National Desk
“With fights over critical race theory and combative school board meetings dominating headlines, newly released results of a year-long research project show we aren't as far apart as we think we are.The study was conducted by More in Common, a group that works to find common ground for people to connect in order to enable problem-solving and progress.”
Colorado Politics
On Teaching Race and History Americans Aren’t as Polarized As National media Narrative Posits
“More in Common, which released the results of its year-long study called "Defusing the History Wars: Finding Common Ground in Teaching America’s National Story," said a clear majority of Americans prefer the teaching of American history in ways that include "both the inspiring and the shameful." This approach, the group said, highlights both the histories of minority groups and history that "elevates a shared American identity and that allows students to learn from the past without feeling guilty or disempowered by the actions of prior generations." "The news here is very positive," lead author Stephen Hawkins told The Denver Gazette.”
“According to a recent survey conducted by More in Common, 83% of Republicans say that “it’s important that every American student learn about slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation.” An even greater number, 93%, agree that “Americans have a responsibility to learn from our past and fix our mistakes.” What’s more, when Democrats are asked to estimate the percentage of Republicans who believe these statements, they guess about 35%—a wild underestimate, which More in Common calls the “perception gap.”
Persuasion
“Democrats underestimated Republicans’ commitment to teaching the history of racial injustices and affirming the experiences of minority groups. Republicans underestimated Democrats’ commitment to teaching about the country’s successes and to teaching history as a story of progress, said Dan Vallone, U.S. director of More in Common, a social and civic research nonprofit that released the report.