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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Social Studies

Appendices A and B

Appendix A

 

ASSESSMENT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appendix B

Criteria For Excellence In Social Studies

This program assessment instrument has been developed to be used by administrators, professional staff and community representatives to assess social studies programs. Other possible uses for information generated from using these criteria include:

 

Philosophy

    1. The school board has adopted a written philosophy statement for social studies which furnishes direction for the program.

 

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Program

    2. There is a written and regularly reviewed curriculum for the social studies which incorporates social studies standards.

 

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    3. The curriculum relates directly to the age, maturity, and concerns of the students.

 

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    4. The program is designed to develop:

        · Knowledge and understanding of content contained in social studies.

        · Civic competence and global stewardship

        · An understanding of the record of human experience

        · Skills and processes related to the social studies

 

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    5. There is a process for addressing controversial issues in a responsible manner.

 

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    6. The program is based on sound scholarship from the content areas relative to the social studies.

 

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    7. The program addresses the relationship of the social sciences to other disciplines and encourages an interdisciplinary approach.

 

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Rating Scale:

(1) not started (2) started/little progress (3) some progress (4) almost achieved (5) achieved

    8. The program encourages skill development including:

    • Creative thinking and communicating
    • Reading and writing in the content areas

        · Problem solving and decision making

        · Social interaction skills

        · Knowledge of concepts, generalizations, processes, and strategies that are considered critical to specific content areas

        · Ability to use complex reasoning processes

        · Ability to gather and utilize information from a variety of sources in a variety of modes

 

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        · Ability to communicate effectively through a variety of products

        · Ability to regulate one’s own learning and development

        · Ability to work in cooperative/collaborative manner

 

 

 

 

 

 

    9. Opportunities are provided for students to examine current events, to consider their role as world citizens, and to participate in community services.

 

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    10. The program is designed to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the social studies as an integral part of one's life.

 

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    11. Student assessment is an on-going and integral part of the program.

 

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    12. Financial resources are provided to plan, implement, and maintain a quality program.

 

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Assessment and Evaluation

    13. Sets high expectations for students and uses a variety of systematic and valid measures to evaluate student performance.

 

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    14. A procedure exists for annual evaluation of the program and materials.

 

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    15. The annual evaluation results are used for program improvement.

 

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Rating Scale:

(1) not started (2) started/little progress (3) some progress (4) almost achieved (5) achieved

Administration & Leadership

    16. A qualified individual(s) has been identified and given the authority, responsibility, and time to develop and coordinate the social studies program.

 

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    17. The administrative staff:

        · Understands the components of a total social studies program and is sensitive to the needs of students and teachers

        · Promotes the hiring of well qualified personnel

        · Supports and facilitates staff development

        · Ensures adequate time for instruction

 

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        · Provides access to professional literature and organizations and to community resources

        · Attempts to ensure adequate funding for the program

        · Recognizes and supports innovative practices

        · Ensures that standards are incorporated in district curriculum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rating Scale:

(1) not started (2) started/little progress (3) some progress (4) almost achieved (5) achieved

        18. Teachers:

        · Elementary - Have experience, background and/or training in social studies.

        · Secondary - Evidence both scholarship and expertise in one or more of the social science disciplines.

        · Apply sound instructional theory and practices in the implementation of the social studies curriculum.

        · Develop and/or use instructional materials creatively and effectively.

        · Incorporate innovative and/or verified effective instructional strategies and techniques.

        · Utilize new scholarship from history, the social sciences, or other appropriate fields.

        · Foster a spirit of inquiry and the development of skills related to acquiring, organizing, processing, and using information and making decisions related to both domestic and international matters.

        · Foster the development of democratic beliefs and values, and the skills needed for citizen participation appropriate to elementary/secondary age youth in classroom, school, and community settings.

        · Foster dynamic learning environments for students characterized by trust, equity, risk-taking, independence, collaboration and democratic processes.

        · Show evidence of professional involvement in activities such as workshops, curriculum development, committees, and other association or activities and use professional materials.

        · Sensitive to the individual needs of diverse students.

 

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    19. Instructional Aides:

        · Are provided with opportunities for professional development and involvement in professional organizations.

        · Participate in programs and classroom planning.

        · Are sensitive to the needs of diverse students.

 

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Rating Scale:

(1) not started (2) started/little progress (3) some progress (4) almost achieved (5) achieved

Community Involvement

    20. A process for community input exists and communication channels are established.

 

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    21. There is ongoing communication among community, parents, students, teachers, and administrators.

        · Community input in curriculum development

        · Participation and support by community for student/teacher community service

        · Periodic dissemination of information to the community relative to program status

 

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    22. Community resources, including human resources, are identified and used to meet program objectives.

 

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Resources

    23. An instructional materials selection process exists and there is a periodic review and evaluation of materials.

 

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    24. The school, personnel, and community are involved in the resource selection process.

 

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    25. Culturally relevant and diverse materials are developed and used.

 

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    26. The community is used in a variety of ways as a learning laboratory and extension of the program.

        · field experiences

        · speakers, mentors, coaches, tutors

        · supplementary materials

 

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    27. A variety of interdisciplinary resources are used to teach social science concepts.

 

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    28. Teachers and students have access to library and other information resources and to a wide variety of materials.

 

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    29. School staff promotes sharing of resources.

 

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    30. Ordering and receipt of materials and equipment are coordinated to meet program objectives.

 

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Rating Scale:

    PHILOSOPHY

Not Started

Started

Some Progress

Almost Achieved

Achieved

 

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    1. Written philosophy adopted

 

 

 

 

    2. Curriculum review/social studies standards

 

 

 

 

    3. Curriculum student centered

 

 

 

 

    4. Program design and content

 

 

 

 

    5. Controversial issues

 

 

 

 

    6. Scholarship

 

 

 

 

    7. Interdisciplinary

 

 

 

 

    8. Creative skill development

 

 

 

 

    9. Current and future events

 

 

 

 

    10. Appreciation of social studies

 

 

 

 

    11. Student assessment

 

 

 

 

    12. Financial resources

 

 

 

 

    13. Expectations and student performance

 

 

 

 

    14. Annual evaluation procedure

 

 

 

 

    15. Use of evaluation results

 

 

 

 

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Rating Scale:

    16. Qualified individual

 

 

 

 

    17. Administrative staff

 

 

 

 

    18. Teachers

 

 

 

 

    19. Instructional Aides

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    20. Communication process

 

 

 

 

    21. Communication among groups

 

 

 

 

    22. Identification & use of community resources

 

 

 

 

    23. Materials selection and review

 

 

 

 

    24. Community/school involvement

 

 

 

 

    25. Culturally relevant materials

 

 

 

 

    26. Community as a resource

 

 

 

 

    27. Interdisciplinary resources

 

 

 

 

    28. Information services and materials

 

 

 

 

    29. Resource sharing

 

 

 

 

    30. Materials coordination

 

 

 

 

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Rating Scale: