ABSTRACT
Jeff Passe convincingly argues why we should feel uncomfortable (or worse) about the status quo in social studies. That is, social studies programs too often feature passive learning of forgettable information and skills from the academic disciplines rather than students drawing on the academic disciplines to support active inquiry into the demands of contemporary living. I have no hesitation in agreeing with him that we need more of the latter and less of the former. It is a position advanced by a long line of leaders in the field, including the select few who, like Professor Passe, have had the distinction of serving as president of NCSS. But, nonetheless, I do question his account of how we got where we are and what might be done about it.
