A System in Transition: Ohio Secondary Social Studies Graduation Requirements and Curriculum Graduation Requirements:
Current (2010-2011)
2014 And Beyond
1. Coursework
3 Units of Social Studies ½ Unit of Amer. Hist. ½ Unit of Amer. Govt. World History Economics Psychology Sociology Global Studies Anthropology Geography
3 Units of Social Studies ½ Unit of Amer. Hist. ½ Unit of Amer. Govt. ½ Unit of Econ./ Fin. Lit. Geography Contemporary Issues Modern World Hist. Psychology Sociology Anthropology Street Law Archeology
2. Passage of State Assessments
Ohio Graduate Test History People in Societies Geography Economics Government Citizens Rights & Resp. S.S. Skills and Methods
3 Part System: 1. Senior Year Project 2. ACT/SAT 3. End of Year S.S. Test American Hist. American Govt.
Pluses:
American History, World History, Sociology, Geography, Economics, American Government, and Social Studies Skill Assessed (de facto required) through Ohio Graduation Test. Test also covers social studies skills and methods.
Minuses:
State standards and benchmarks were too narrow and influenced quality of instruction. Financial literacy not required by law.
Students still required to take 3 units of social studies for graduation, and model curriculum/syllabi provided for supported courses (ex. Current Events Course, Geography, Economics). Topics and content statements not as narrow while still leaving room for flexibility in delivery. Senior projects hold great promise for social studies content application. Only American History and American Government will be tested via State Assessments. Thus, many subscribers to “if it’s not tested it’s not taught” fear World History will be dropped in many schools at a time when its most needed. Some believe that the lack of an interdisciplinary state social studies assessment will harm course offerings in social studies (i.e. Geography, Sociology, Psychology, etc.). Furthermore, ACT/SAT has no social studies component.
Key: Mandate by OH Legislature Optional Courses to Count Towards Graduation Requirements (Supported by ODE/ Ex. Model Curr.) Optional Courses to Count Towards Graduation Requirements (Unsupported) Mandatory Assessments
*No final decision has been made on which social studies content areas will be assessed after the elimination of the OGT. Currently, elementary (the 5th Grade) and middle school (the 8th Grade) social studies assessments have been suspended. Speculation is that they may be reinstated in 2014 under the current ODE Social Studies framework.