Call for Annual Conference Proposals
OCSS is excited to announce a call for proposals for our annual conference to be held October 1 – 2, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. The theme of this year’s conference is Critical Times, Critical Literacies. As we transition to new standards and learn about new assessments, it important for social studies professionals from around the state to engage in dialogue around best practices to ensure Ohio’s students receive a world-class education and grow as citizens. We are seeking practicing social studies professionals from across the state to share their work including how social studies content and skills integrate with other subjects, teaching literacy (including financial, technological, numerical) to all students, and how new standards are transforming social studies courses.
Click here for more information and to submit your session proposal!
Founding Documents Bill in Conference Committee
Last summer the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 165. If signed into law, it would require students to study the Founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance, Constitution of the United States with emphasis on the Bill of Rights, and Ohio Constitution, in American History and Government courses before graduation at the High School Level. Last summer, OCSS testified as a concerned party in writing and in person. We agreed that teaching the Founding Documents was essential, but we were concerned about the potential impact this bill would have on instructional time, state testing , the and the status of World History.
The House has recently passed a similar bill that would additionally require 25% of the test items on the new high school end-of-course exams in American History and Government to be about the Founding Documents. ODE has met with social studies teachers and professionals from across the state to put plans in place to address the impact of SB 165 on the standards, but OCSS remains concerned about the impact this bill with have on World History at the high school level. To truly receive a world class education, like many politicians and leaders profess, students need adequate instruction in American History, Government, and World History before they graduate.
Click this link for more information about OCSS current advocacy efforts.
The State of 3-5 Social Studies Instruction in Ohio Study
The Ohio Professors of Social Studies Education (OPSSE) have been asked by the Executive Board to conduct a study of the impact removal of the 5th and 8th grade tests is having on social studies in the early grades. The study, entitled “The State of 3-5 Social Studies Instruction in Ohio” asks the following questions:
1. How much time per week are 3rd to 5th grade teachers spending teaching social studies?
2. How did this amount change after 5th and 8th grade OAT tests were eliminated?
3. What changes, if any, to the social studies curriculum have been made since the elimination of the test?
4. What changes in levels of resources provided have been made since the elimination of the test, if any?
Regional research teams have been formed based on the five Race to the Top regions (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, and Central) so that a representative sample of the entire state may be drawn. The five universities involved are Akron University, Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, and University of Cincinnati. The teams will be interviewing randomly-selected principals to answer interview questions, who will then facilitate electronic surveying of the social studies teachers in their building. OPSSE expects to have all data collected by March 5, with a preliminary report available for presentation at the March 25 Executive Board meeting. Questions about the study may be referred to Nancy Patterson, Project Director, at ncpatte@bgsu.edu.
Call for Proposals – Ohio Social Studies Review
The editors of the Ohio Social Studies Review, a peer-reviewed international journal, issue a call to submit manuscripts for the Spring 2012 issue, which is scheduled for April publication. Theme: Urban Education and Social Studies.
Click this link for a complete call for proposals.
Specialists Weigh Common Social Studies Standards
