HILLSDALE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s Hillsdale College’s 1776 Curriculum is reported to have been a major influence in South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s new social studies curriculum proposal.

One of the leading members of the 15 person team chosen to develop the state’s new social studies standards, former Hillsdale politics professor William Morrisey, referenced the curriculum developed by Hillsdale according to other members of the standards commission.   

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In mid-August, Noem released a proposal for the South Dakota state social studies standards that had many similarities to the 1776 Curriculum. 

According to the Hillsdale College 1776 Curriculum website, this is the product of Hillsdale College professors and some of the very best K-12 teachers, both past and present, derived from and created for real classrooms with real students taught by real teachers. It is an ongoing and transparent project based on the most current accurate scholarship as well as novel insights from K-12 teachers. 

More than 10 schools across 11 states use the curriculum as their basis for teaching, and more than 45 schools across the country use the curriculum as a supplemental guide, with the opportunity to apply and become a membership school within two years. 

South Dakota could join Gov. Bill Lee of Tennesse and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida who have supported and made plans to fully adopt the curriculum for schools in their respective states. 

The proposal has been met with varying degrees of approval, though some criticize it for not coming entirely from South Dakota teachers.  

Noem’s proposed standards will be examined during public hearings this fall before the governor-appointed Board of Education Standards decide whether to adopt them.