Many people are dealing with scope and sequence questions and issues. This page has the statues and laws guiding the development, a chart of scope and sequences from across the state, a sample agenda to go through the process... Please share other resources!!!!
Elementary Time requirements: Grades Kindergarten (K) through 6: Recommended allocations of time per week for a six-hour school day
Grade Level
K*
1
2
3
4
5
6
Reading/English Language Arts
30%
700
700
600
600
500
425
Mathematics
10%
250
250
250
250
250
250
Social Studies
10%
125
150
175
200
225
250
Science
10%
100
100
150
150
175
250
Health
10%
75
75
100
100
125
125
Physical Education
10%
150
150
150
150
150
150
Art
10%
90
90
90
90
90
90
Music
10%
75
75
75
75
75
75
Foreign Language
--
--
--
--
--
100
100
Environmental Education*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Computer Literacy*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Career Exploration and Planning
---
---
---
---
---
Total Allocated Instructional Minutes
1565
1590
1590
1615
1690
1715
Middle and High School:
Grades 5-8 s. 121.02(1(L)2. In grades 5 to 8, provide regular instruction in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art and music. The school board shall also provide pupils with an introduction to career exploration and planning.
Grades 9-12 s. 121.02(l)(L)3. In grades 9 to 12, provide access to an educational program that enable pupils each year to study English, social studies, mathematics, science, vocational education, foreign language, physical education, art, and music. In this subdivision, "access" means an opportunity to study through school district course offerings, independent study, cooperative educational service agencies or cooperative arrangements between school boards and postsecondary educational institutions.
High School Graduation Statute s.118.33(1)(a)1. In the high school grades, at least 4 credits of English including writing composition, 3 credits of social studies including state and local government, 2 credits of mathematics, 2 credits of science, and 1.5 credits of physical education. s.121.02(1)(L)4. Beginning September 1, 1991, as part of the social studies curriculum, include instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in this state at least twice in the elementary grades and at least once in the high school grades.
For more information: American Indian Tribes & Bands
s.118.01(2)(c) Educational goals and expectations (c) Citizenship. Each school board shall provide an instructional program designed to give pupils:
An understanding of the basic workings of all levels of government, including the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.
A commitment to the basic value of our government, including by appropriate instruction and ceremony the proper reverence and respect for and the history and meaning of the American flag, the Declaration of Independence, the U. S. Constitution, and the constitution and laws of this state.
The skills to participate in political life.
An understanding of the function of organizations in society.
Knowledge of the role and importance of biological and physical resources.
Knowledge of state, national, and world history.
An appreciation and understanding of different value systems and culture.
At all grade levels, an understanding of human relations, particularly with regards to American Indians, Black Americans, and Hispanics, on available school and community prevention and intervention assistance or services and shall be provided to pupils in elementary schools.
The National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools was formed in 1987 by the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the National Council for the Social Studies to study the state of social studies in the schools and to make recommendations for curricular change. The Commission's curriculum report, CHARTING A COURSE: SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THE 21st CENTURY (1989), is summarized here:
A great read to begin the process is "Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong". (http://www.edexcellence.net/detail/news.cfm?news_id=317) It is sure to light some fires on current topics in the field.
You may want to balance it by also having them read: The response: Social Studies: Wrong, Right, or Left? A Critical Response to the Fordham Institute's Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong?
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/socst/K-12/Wrong-Right-Left%20Article.pdf
You can also have them read the many position papers put out by NCSS: http://www.socialstudies.org/positions
Statues guiding decisions in social studies:
Elementary Time requirements:
Grades Kindergarten (K) through 6: Recommended allocations of time per week for a six-hour school day
Middle and High School:
Grades 5-8
s. 121.02(1(L)2. In grades 5 to 8, provide regular instruction in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art and music. The school board shall also provide pupils with an introduction to career exploration and planning.
Grades 9-12
s. 121.02(l)(L)3. In grades 9 to 12, provide access to an educational program that enable pupils each year to study English, social studies, mathematics, science, vocational education, foreign language, physical education, art, and music. In this subdivision, "access" means an opportunity to study through school district course offerings, independent study, cooperative educational service agencies or cooperative arrangements between school boards and postsecondary educational institutions.
High School Graduation Statute
s.118.33(1)(a)1. In the high school grades, at least 4 credits of English including writing composition, 3 credits of social studies including state and local government, 2 credits of mathematics, 2 credits of science, and 1.5 credits of physical education.
s.121.02(1)(L)4. Beginning September 1, 1991, as part of the social studies curriculum, include instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in this state at least twice in the elementary grades and at least once in the high school grades.
For more information: American Indian Tribes & Bands
s.118.01(2)(c) Educational goals and expectations (c) Citizenship. Each school board shall provide an instructional program designed to give pupils:
The National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools was formed in 1987 by the Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, and the National Council for the Social Studies to study the state of social studies in the schools and to make recommendations for curricular change. The Commission's curriculum report, CHARTING A COURSE: SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THE 21st CENTURY (1989), is summarized here:
Scope and Sequence data from across the state:
Sample agenda for the process: