Social Studies Instruction

Topics:

Instruction

Definition of Social Studies

Social studies is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place that prepares students for local, national, and global civic life.

National Council for the Social Studies

Social Studies Instruction Topics & Tools

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Civics Test

Senate File 369 directs the Iowa Department of Education to develop a multiple-choice test that consists of all questions contained in the most recent version of the civics test developed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and distribute the multiple choice test to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.

The statute establishes a requirement for the board of directors of a school district or authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school to administer the civics test developed and distributed by the Department to students in grades 9-12. The school district or accredited nonpublic school shall ensure that each student receives one passing score as a condition of graduation.  

A school district or accredited nonpublic school is to report the results of the test to the Department by June 30 of each year.  Below you will find additional information regarding test administration.

SF 369 Civics Test Information and FAQs (164.04 KB) .pdf

SF 369 High School Civics Test (207.73 KB) .pdf

Make a copy of the SF 369 High School Civics Test as a Google Form - Note: The "make a copy" function will require the user to sign in to their Google account, since the file is saved to Google Drive, which requires a Google account.

SF 369 Civics Test Requirement for High School Equivalency Diplomas (173.51 KB) .pdf

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Laws and Regulations

Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.5(3) describes social studies instruction at grade levels 1–12.

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Social Studies Teaching Endorsements

In Iowa, teacher licensure is handled by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. For the requirements for teaching endorsements in social studies, use the following links:

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Constitution Day

United States Constitution Day is September 17 of each year. Congress enacted legislation requiring all public schools to set aside one day during the week of September 17 to teach all students about the U.S. Constitution and about citizenship.

Consult these resources for ideas:

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