VSG Maintenance Group
Thursday, January 7, 2021
In Minnesota, we do state standard testing on Reading and Math, and recently, Science. Required in my district (not entirely sure if all this is required by the state, school districts can't do less, but they can require more) One semester of Civics, One semester of Human Geography, 2 semesters of U.S. History, 2 semesters of World History. All of these classes are also offered as A.P. classes. BUT notice there is no state standardized testing for Social Studies. So these classes don't receive the same attention or resources. There is no specific section on the ACT for social studies, so again, fewer resources. We should value Civics and History more.
Kansas also has no state assessment for social studies. Minimum state high school graduation requires 3 units including US and World History, and Government. The problem is not in the quantity but in the low degree of quality. Because there is no accountability for whether minimum standards/proficiency are being met, Social Studies classes are often considered as unimportant, fluff time- little is required and so it goes...time spent - much ado about nothing. I do not believe this is unique to my observation/experience. Just to begin
