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• 2018 Legislature Supports Civics
• Applications for Social Studies Cadre: Due June 30
• Teaching Hard History: American Slavery
• Recurring Features: OSPI’s Civic Education Initiative & Social Studies Teachers Connect
• Supt. Reykdal Releases Budget Priority Survey

2018 Legislature Supports Civics

The final House vote came on March 7: 95 yeas, 3 nays. With that, 2SHB 1896, which provides direction and support for civic education, was sent to the Governor. On March 21, Governor Inslee, surrounded by numerous stakeholders who had worked tirelessly on this bipartisan endeavor, signed the bill into law.  

This important legislation supports civic education in three ways:

1. It requires that, by the 2020-21 school year, one-half credit of civics education be offered as a stand-alone class for high school students.
2. It requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish an expanded civics education teacher training program which provides for civic education professional development learning opportunities for teachers. Two demonstration districts will pilot evaluation standards and curriculum that may be recommended for use in other schools across the state.
3. It transfers administration of the Washington History Day program from Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) to OSPI, and establishes a History Day account in the Treasurer’s Trust Fund. 

Applications for Social Studies Cadre: Due June 30

The OSPI Social Studies Program is now accepting applications for openings for practicing educators to serve on OSPI's Statewide Social Studies Cadre. Interested teachers may apply by completing the online application. The Social Studies Cadre serves as a teaching and advisory team for state social studies education. Using their teaching experience and expertise in social studies education, they work in support of OSPI’s Civic Education Initiative. With the expanded state focus on civic education, this year’s selection of new members for the Washington State Social Studies Cadre takes on additional importance. Cadre members will lead the professional development required by the new civics legislation. Cadre positions are open in the following Education Service Districts and grade bands. ESD 105: Elementary ESD 112: Elementary and Middle School ESD 113: Middle School ESD 114: Middle School ESD 121: High School ESD 123: High School ESD 171: Middle School ESD 189: High School The deadline for applying is June 30, 2018. Applications will be vetted during July, and all applicants will be notified of results by August 1, 2018. New Social Studies Cadre members will be announced in September. Positions that are not filled during this process will remain open until filled.

Teaching Hard History: American Slavery

The Southern Poverty Law Center has produced Teaching Hard History: American Slavery. This work summarizes a yearlong, multifaceted investigation: what students know, what teachers teach, what textbooks cover, and what state standards demand.

With this report comes Teaching American Slavery Through Inquiry, a white paper by Kathy Swan, John Lee, and S. G. Grant, which shows how the project aligns with the C3 Framework. Of special interest to teachers are the plethora of primary source documents and several Inquiry Design Models (IDM) ready for the classroom.

Recurring Features: OSPI’s Civic Education Initiative & Social Studies Teachers Connect

OSPI Social Studies supports standards-based learning and teaching for students and teachers across Washington State. Information on Social Studies K-12 Learning Standards and classroom-based assessments for civics, economics, geography, and history is available on the website. The site provides information on graduation requirements, the laws and regulations governing social studies, and resources (people, organizations, programs, and processes) that enhance social studies curriculum and practice.

OSPI’s Civic Education Initiative (CEI) seeks to ensure that every student is provided a high-caliber civic education from kindergarten through high school graduation. This year’s work focuses on building the Washington Social Studies Commons and WA C3 State Hub, an open educational resource featuring high-quality, Washington-centric inquiries for use by K-12 social studies students and teachers alike. If you would like to participate, please contact Carol Coe, Social Studies Program Supervisor, OSPI, by phone (360-725-6351) or email: carol.coe@k12.wa.us.

Visit Social Studies Teachers (SST) Connect. Explore the curriculum maps and the instructional maps to find contact information of colleagues in Washington state who are teaching the same courses or working on the same instructional practices as you. Share your contact information. Make 2017-18 the school year to meet and learn with colleagues beyond your school and district.

Supt. Reykdal Releases Budget Priority Survey