Better, Not More

Hugh Russell Fraser's U.S. history hobbyhorse got the bit in its teeth last week, galloped right out of the New York Times paddock. Three months ago Fraser was a temporary Times expert on history teaching. Together they steamed up a busy U.S. by charges that high-school graduates know little or no U.S. history (TIME, April 12). Fraser charged that schools neglect the subject. Last week it was clear the Times and Fraser were of two minds.

The Times warmly endorsed a new Rockefeller-financed survey of history teaching under the University of Minnesota's professor of education Edgar Bruce Wesley. He disputed the original Fraser-Times demand for more history by insisting that schools teach enough American history. The survey will aim at improving, rather than increasing, history teaching.

Fraser made instant reply, charged that the survey was a farce designed to divert attention from shocking neglect of U.S. history in public schools.

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