Draft NYS Common Core 9-12 Social Studies Framework is Now Posted

The New York State Board of Regents Reform agenda is centered on ensuring that all students graduate prepared for postsecondary education and career opportunities. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is committed to continuous improvement in teaching and learning to make that goal a reality.

Each instructional content area must include standards and frameworks that describe the knowledge and skills required for students to progress toward College and Career readiness. NYSED has taken steps to align the current social studies learning standards (United States and New York State History; World History; Geography; Economics; and Civics, Citizenship, and Government) with the requirements of the Common Core State Standards. This work has been developed in consultation with teachers and leaders in P-12 schools and higher education institutions. The draft New York State Common Core K-8 Social Studies Framework was posted in September 2012 for public review and comment at http://engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-common-core-k-8-social-studies-framework. A survey was conducted during September and early October and results were reviewed by the Social Studies Content Advisory Panel in October.

At the September 2012 meeting, the Board of Regents discussed a requirement for dividing the current Global History and Geography course of study into two units of study. The Social Studies Content Advisory Panel met in October and discussed this proposal. At the November 2012 meeting, the Board directed staff to seek public input on the proposed changes. A limited survey was conducted in December and the results supported a chronological approach. This information was reviewed with the Board of Regents at the January 2013 meeting and this draft New York State Common Core 9-12 Social Studies Framework was developed accordingly (See: http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings/January2013/113p12d3.pdf).

The draft framework represents a chronological approach to the Global History and Geography course of study, with the first unit addressing the Neolithic Revolution to the beginnings and causes of the Industrial Revolution (approximately 1750), and the second unit beginning with the Enlightenment and continuing through modern times.

This draft framework also incorporates the Key Ideas and Conceptual Understandings for the following courses: United States History and Government; Participation in Government; and Economics, the Enterprise System, and Finance. The draft framework is posted online for public review at http://engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-common-core-9-12-social-studies-framework.

We ask that you assist us in our thinking by completing an online survey at https://www.research.net/s/9thru12socst. The online survey will be available until Friday, March 8, 2013.