New Jersey History Article

The following article about New Jersey appeared in the March 30, 2003, edition of the Philadelphia Inquire and is provided here with their permission.

Do you know N.J.?
Proposed school standards would mandate "knowledge and understanding" of what the Garden State means to America. Need some examples? Take this quiz.

Mar 30, 2003
By Terry Bitman INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

There is more, dear New Jersey student, to your state's heritage than the celebrated S's: the Sopranos, Springsteen, Sinatra and the Shore.

The story of New Jersey is richer than the terrible T's: traffic, taxes and the turnpike.

Its political narrative is greater than the Big C: Corruption.

You may know that better if the state Department of Education adopts revisions to its social-studies standards, including New Jersey history.

The changes, which could be voted on next month, wouldn't mandate that you learn about the beautiful minds of John Nash, Walt Whitman, Count Basie and Judy
Blume.

They wouldn't call for studying such dastardly deeds as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the murderous rampage of a disturbed World War II veteran named Howard Unruh in Camden, or the deadly anthrax letters mailed near Trenton.

Nor would they ensure you know about such New Jersey heroes as Buzz Aldrin, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and Clara Barton.

The revisions would specify in which grades certain topics - such as New Jersey's roles in the Revolutionary War, the industrialization of the country, and the 20th century - were covered. They also would say when you learned about the crucial contributions to America of such prominent New Jersey residents as Paul Robeson, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Alice Paul.

But how much you are taught about New Jersey remains up to your school district, said John Dougherty, the Education Department's coordinator of social studies.

Currently, New Jersey only obliges public schools to include state history and African American history as part of the required two years of U.S. history in high school. In the elementary grades, state history is part of civics instruction.

A draft of the revised standards states: "All students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major events, personalities and issues in the history of New Jersey."

There is no requirement for a separate course in New Jersey history.

David S. Cohen, senior research associate of the New Jersey Historical Commission, agreed that state history is best taught as part of U.S. history.

"My sense is that the inclusion of New Jersey in the study of United States history only helps to make it all the more relevant," Cohen said. "New Jersey examples can illuminate" American history.

The Historical Commission, a part of state government, runs programs to help educate teachers about New Jersey in the hope they will impart their knowledge to students.

But while the state is paying more attention to its history, Gov. McGreevey's proposed budget cuts for the next fiscal year call for the elimination of the Historical Commission's $4.5 million funding and thus its ability to continue those programs.

Melding state history with national history also seems to sit well with school administrators.

"It is more of an evolving experience than a prescribed one," Glassboro Schools Superintendent Michael Gorman said, describing how his district incorporates New Jersey history into the curriculum.

For instance, he said, if a class is studying the Revolutionary War, it will discuss the many battles fought in South Jersey, and visit some of the sites. If it is learning about the Industrial Age, it will hear of the glass factories that gave the town its name.

And Glassboro High offers an elective course just on local heritage. So does Moorestown High School.

As a whole, that district tries to "infuse" New Jersey history with the teaching of American history, said Pamela Fisk, Moorestown's supervisor of humanities.

"I think our students need to understand they are citizens of the world," she said, "but it also is important to know the role of New Jersey in that world."

At Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, Superintendent Barry Galasso said the part played by New Jersey and its leaders also was discussed in classes such as economics, science and music.

"Any time we can make a connection between New Jersey and whatever is being studying, we try to do that," Galasso said. "I think it's the best approach."

Many historical facts about New Jersey are learned as a matter of course. The state's active role in the Revolutionary War, including such dramatic events as George Washington's crossing of the Delaware near Trenton to surprise the Hessian forces, is always mentioned.

Taught less is the state's part in the Civil War, though the revised standards call for teaching details of that role.

"New Jersey was ambivalent," said William Carrigan, a Rowan University history professor. "It was a Northern state, but the feelings here were mixed. New Jersey was the only Northern state that Lincoln didn't carry" in the 1860 presidential election.

But perhaps the saga of the state's greatest conflict still won't be required teaching.

It's not about the British overstaying their welcome, or even auto-insurance rates.

It's about a song.

Forget about Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days," Frank Sinatra's "My Way," or even Cozy Morley's "On the Way to Cape May." New Jersey has no official state song.

For four decades the writer of a ditty called "I'm From New Jersey" has been trying to get his tune so designated.

While legislatures have approved the proposal seven times, no governor has had the chutzpah to give the honor to the song, written by a gentleman named Red Mascara.

Not in a state that also gave the pop-music world Count Basie and Nelson Riddle.

But while music is a big New Jersey commodity, its role in state history isn't likely to be mandated for attention in your classrooms.

In recent months, an education review panel rejected proposals it deemed too specific for local autonomy.

"For example, we had teaching about Sinatra in there," Dougherty said.

But even Ol' Blue Eyes couldn't make the cut.

Contact staff writer Terry Bitman at 856-779-3919 or tbitman@phillynews.com.

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