Important knowledge in history and social studies

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1. In America, when one teaches students, what is worth knowing in history/ social studies?

It depends, at least in part, on whom you talk, and what they consider to be important and worth learning. For example, the school districts that are responsible for choosing and implementing the history/social studies curriculum (and often considered part of the core curriculum for ALL students to take), teachers who choose the textbooks, etc. may come up with very different ideas about what is worth knowing in history/social studies (i.e., personal preference, experiences, cultural backgrounds, etc.).
Thus, many factors come into play when deciding what is worth knowing in history/social studies. One important aspect to consider is the idea that one holds about the function of the history/social studies and why they should be part of the curriculum? One author says it this way:
"I believe social studies should be part of the curriculum for the purpose of helping students understand human interactions that occurred in the past, are occurring now, and that are likely to occur in the future. The reason for these understandings is to help students develop and nurture values that will make it more likely that they will be able to determine for any situation what the right thing is and do it, especially when doing the right thing is hard to do. It is about decency, respect, and honor. This is not a difficult idea to understand, but it can take a lifetime to appreciate." (http://www.adprima.com/values.htm).
In other words, from this above standpoint, all past and present events of history/social studies are worth knowing in history/social studies. For this author, though, it more than learning the historical events and facts, it is about acquiring an understanding of human interactions through studying about the historical events and facts, and to be able to apply them to future events. This is very important, indeed.

2. In addition, who decides what is worth learning to the ...