Iowa Department of Education

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• Social Studies Requirements for Teaching Endorsements
• Laws and Regulations
• Social Studies in the Iowa Core Curriculum
• U.S. Youth Senate Program
  National History Day in Iowa
• Iowa Social Studies Websites
• National Social Studies Websites

 
Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

Definition of Social Studies
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

Social Studies Requirements for Teaching Endorsements

In Iowa teacher licensure is handled by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.  

Laws and Regulations

281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(3) describes social studies instruction at grade levels 1-12, which includes the following:

12.5(3) Elementary program, grades 1–6.

b.   Social studies.  Social studies instruction shall include citizenship education, history, and social sciences.  Democratic beliefs and values, problem–solving skills, and social and political participation skills shall be incorporated.  Instruction shall encompass geography, history of the United States and Iowa, and cultures of other peoples and nations.  American citizenship, including the study of national, state, and local government; and the awareness of the physical, social, emotional and mental self shall be infused in the instructional program.

12.5(4) Junior high program, grades 7 and 8.

b.   Social studies.  Social studies instruction shall include citizenship education, history and social sciences.  Democratic beliefs and values, problem–solving skills, and social and political participation skills shall be incorporated.  Instruction shall encompass history, economics, geography, government including American citizenship, behavioral sciences, and the cultures of other peoples and nations.  Strategies for continued development of positive self–perceptions shall be infused.

12.5(5) High school program, grades 9–12.

b.   Social studies (five units).  Social studies instruction shall include citizenship education, history, and the social sciences.  Instruction shall encompass the history of the United States and the history and cultures of other peoples and nations including the analysis of persons, events, issues, and historical evidence reflecting time, change, and cause and effect.  Instruction in United States government shall include an overview of American government through the study of the United States Constitution, the bill of rights, the federal system of government, and the structure and relationship between the national, state, county, and local governments; and voter education including instruction in statutes and procedures, voter registration requirements, the use of paper ballots and voting machines in the election process, and the method of acquiring and casting an absentee ballot.  Students’ knowledge of the Constitution and the bill of rights shall be assessed.  Economics shall include comparative and consumer studies in relation to the market and command economic systems.  Geography shall include the earth’s physical and cultural features, their spatial arrangement and interrelationships, and the forces that affect them.  Sociology, psychology, and anthropology shall include the scientific study of the individual and group behavior(s) reflecting the impact of these behaviors on persons, groups, society, and the major institutions in a society.  Democratic beliefs and values, problem–solving skills, and social and political skills shall be incorporated.  All students in grades nine through twelve must, as a condition of graduation, complete a minimum of one–half unit of United States government and one unit of United States history and receive instruction in the government of Iowa.

Social Studies in the Iowa Core Curriculum

The Iowa Core Curriculum (also known as Model Core Curriculum) provides local school districts and nonpublic schools a guide to delivering instruction based on consistent, challenging and meaningful content to students. Pages 16-18 of the following document identifies the essential concepts and skill sets for social studies for grades 9-12. Essential concepts and skills for social studies for grades K-8 are scheduled to be developed later in 2008.

 Essential Concepts and Skill Sets of the Iowa Core Curriculum (2008-04-25)

U.S. Youth Senate Program

A program, sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, designed to give young Americans a working knowledge of American political life.

National History Day in Iowa

National History Day (NHD) is an exciting academic enrichment program that helps students discover historical issues, ideas, people, and events. This year-long academic adventure fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and their love for history.

Iowa Social Studies websites

America's Legislators Back to School Program - The program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures , is designed to teach young people--the nation's future voters and leaders--what it's like to be a state legislator. 

Geographic Alliance of Iowa - The Geographic Alliance of Iowa (GAI) was established in 1991 with the support of the National Geographic Society (NGS). GAI is composed of K-12 teachers, college and university professors, personnel from a variety of other educational endeavors, and citizens, all of whom are concerned with improving geographic instruction in Iowa.

Iowa Council for the Social Studies - An association of educators who have come together to strengthen the social studies profession and social studies programs in the schools. An affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies.

Iowa World Language Association - The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is devoted to advancing the worldwide mission of education and world languages, literature and culture.

National Social Studies Websites

National Council for the Social Studies - Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators.

National Center for History in the Schools - A nationally known organization that has engaged the talents of scores of classroom teachers and provided history educators across the nation with new historical resources and teaching strategies. NCHS’s double mission is (a) to aid the professional development of K-12 history teachers; and (b) to work with teachers to develop curricular materials that will engage students in exciting explorations of United States and World history.

National Council on Economic Education - A nationwide network that leads in promoting economic literacy with students and their teachers. NCEE's mission is to help students develop the real-life skills they need to succeed: to be able to think and choose responsibly as consumers, savers, investors, citizens, members of the workforce, and effective participants in a global economy.

The National Council for Geographic Education - An organization working to enhance the status and quality of geography teaching and learning.

Center for Civic Education - A nonprofit, nonpartisan educational corporation dedicated to promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries.

Contact:
Cheryl Mullenbach
515-494-5610
cheryl.mullenbach@iowa.gov