The State of Social Studies Curriculum and Assessment Nationwide

• In Event: Social Studies Curriculum: Standards, Testing, and Curriculum Enactment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary report on findings from a nation-wide survey on the status of P-12 social studies in the U.S. It explores both middle and high school social studies teachers’ approaches to the curriculum, including frequency of strategies use and curricular emphases. The findings suggest that there are important differences in how middle and high school teachers approach social studies teaching, and that decisions teachers make both affirm and disconfirm expectations for such teaching in the field of social studies education.

Authors

• Jeff Passe, Towson University

• Paul G. Fitchett, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Nancy C. Patterson, Bowling Green State University

• Phillip J. Vanfossen, Purdue University