Social Studies

Social Studies is one of the four core content areas of our State Curriculum, which includes Social Studies skills that are taught from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. They are essential for building foundations and content knowledge that students will connect new learning to as they grow vertically.  The Hechinger Report explains the significance of social studies instruction at the elementary level. 

 

The STAAR Redesign of 2023 felt like a big shift for many districts, however, in regard to Social Studies this emphasized our need to address our Social Studies skills through formative assessment activities so students have the ability to process and internalize the information.  This is a win-win because the allotting time for this in instruction supports all students and helps them prepare for dual-coded items. The redesign also requires students to be able to write about what they read using evidence from the text which also encourages the development of skills necessary for student success.  

 

The need for cross-curricular work has been communicated for several years however research has proven that background knowledge of a topic is powerful in helping students comprehend reading passages regardless of reading levels. Through the STAAR Redesign, "there will be an increase in the number of cross-curricular informational passages that reference content aligned to the TEKS for other subject areas (e.g., social studies, science, mathematics, ...etc.). While the cross-curricular passages on reading language arts (RLA) test will include topics from other subject areas, the questions will ONLY ASSESS RLA TEKS; students will not be scored on their understanding of TEKS for other subject areas." TEA Assessment.  Social Studies and Social Studies TEKS at all levels can support students with this change.  Social Studies must still be taught.

 

Much of the focus when considering professional development goes to the tested grade levels and subjects. It's time we're proactive and recognize how important the non-tested grade levels play in laying the foundation for understanding, making connections, and processing information for students when they reach those levels that are tested. Our work here at the Education Service Center is research-based and data-driven to help you make educated decisions when considering professional development for yourself or the teachers in your district. Please call me to discuss how I can help. For more information on Social Studies at the State Level please visit the T.E.A. Social Studies webpage. 

Fellow Historians,

If your district enrolled in the Elevate20 Cooperative, you have access to many of our great training opportunities at zero cost or a reduced rate.  Please see the Social Studies training opportunities in Connect20 or on the Elevate20 Social Studies Synchronous Sessions webpage.