State Advocacy: Restore K-8 assessments for social studiesSince 2009, state testing for social studies has been suspended for Ohio elementary and middle school students. Without assessments in social studies for grades K-8, schools have reallocated funding and instructional time away from social studies to subjects that are assessed. We accept that a budget crisis necessitated painful decisions, but the decision to suspend social studies assessments has negatively impacted the instruction in History, Geography, Government, and Economics across the state. Amended Substitute House Bill 1 requires the Ohio Department of Education and schools to implement new standards and new state-wide |
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Require World History / Studies as part of the 3 required Social Studies credits and High School Testing Program
Marginalization of modern World History/Studies: World history is required for success on the OGT, effectively making it a required course in the current high school program. Under the new academic content standards and proposed high school assessment program, the study of world history has been relegated to an elective course status. It is difficult to conceive of world-class standards and assessment program that does not require the study modern world history, world geography and cultures, or contemporary world issues at the high school level.
What it will take: The Ohio Department of Education has developed three high schools courses that would provide students with a solid background about the modern world: 1) Modern World History, 2) World Geography, and 3) Contemporary World Issues. ODE may require that world history/studies continue to be part of the high school assessment program, but at this time it has still not been decided which two Social Studies courses will be assessed with end-of-course exams. OCSS wants to be proactive in this matter and believes the more effective course of action is legislative action. We will continue working with state legislators to introduce legislation requiring 1/2 credit of U.S. History, 1/2 credit of World History/Studies, and 1/2 credit of Government as part of the three Carnegie units in social studies needed for high school graduation.
As you contact your legislators, remind them that requiring world history is a budget-neutral item. Ohio high schools currently require world history due to the focus of the Ohio Graduation test. Maintaining a required world history class will not add to staffing, will not require additional instructional materials, and will not add to the number of credits required to graduate high school. However, as mentioned above, OCSS’s proposal would allow schools to offer world geography or contempory world issues and give students the choice to take any one of these courses to fulfill the graduation requirement.
Let’s remind our public officials in Columbus that a true “world class” education includes World History/Studies at the high school level. Please help OCSS by signing Dr. Brad Maguth’s petition system at http://change.org to “Save World History (Studies) in Ohio.”
Sandra Day O’Connor Act Needs Co-Sponsors
Dear Colleague, Good News-we have something concrete to do to support the Sandra Day O’Connor Act and support Civic Learning! Ted O’Connell, Executive Director of the Civic Mission of Schools Campaign, has provided us with the news that it is Representative Cole and Honda, the first two sponsors of this bill, believe the time is right for securing co-sponsors. I am forwarding the e-mail that will be sent to the Campaign and wanted you to be pulled into the loop.
Your assistance is much appreciated!
