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• Calling All Social Studies Teachers . . . We Need You!
• Applications for Social Studies Cadre: Due June 30
• Nominate a Deserving Student for the Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award
• Judges in the Classroom: Bring Civics to Life!
• Recurring Features: OSPI’s Civic Education Initiative & Social Studies Teachers Connect
• Supt. Reykdal Releases Budget Priority Survey

Calling All Social Studies Teachers . . . We Need You!

Plan to be involved as OSPI launches Civics Education 2018, a year-long implementation of 2SHB 1896. The implementation plan entails a threefold focus:

1. Revitalizing Social Studies in Elementary Classrooms
2. Embedding Inquiry into Middle School Social Studies Courses, Including Washington State History (a non-credit graduation requirement)
3. 3Building the Best: Development of a Stand-Alone Civics Course for High School Students

Want to be involved in this work? If you are a classroom teacher, consider applying for a position on the Washington State Social Studies Cadre of Educators. If there are no openings in your ESD, then join the Washington State Social Studies Allies, a group that has seen tremendous growth since the passage of 2SHB 1896. The final newsletter of the 2017-18 school year will provide details for joining the Allies. Meanwhile, information for applying for membership on the Washington State Social Studies Cadre follows. 

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.

Nominate a Deserving Student for the Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award

Do you have students who have shown civic leadership at school or in your local community? If so, you have an opportunity to recognize their contributions. Read more about this award program, established by the Washington State Legislature to shine a light on contributions made by third- through twelfth-grade student leaders. 

Learn more from former award recipient, Cece (Marysville School District): Cece.

Judges in the Classroom: Bring Civics to Life!

Here’s a way to deepen the classroom civics experience for your students. Invite a judge into your classroom. Check out Judges in the Classroom, a program especially tailored for Washington teachers. During classroom visits, judges present lessons featuring state law and practice. The lessons are interactive and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the legal and judicial system.

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