1 of 15

History & Social Science Standards:

An Update with Brief Context

​

Dr. Vicki Hobson and Mr. John Hobson

2 of 15

The Standards of Learning

The History & Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) are designed to develop knowledge and skills in history, geography, civics and economics to prepare students for informed participation in shaping the nation’s future.

​

https://www.doe.virginia.gov

​

3 of 15

Code of Virginia (Standards of Quality)

The Standards of Learning in all subject areas shall be subject to regular review and revision to maintain rigor and to reflect a balance between content knowledge and the application of knowledge in preparation for eventual employment and lifelong learning. The Board of Education shall establish a regular schedule, in a manner it deems appropriate, for the review, and revision as may be necessary, of the Standards of Learning in all subject areas. Such review of each subject area shall occur at least once every seven years.�

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Board from conducting such review and revision on a more frequent basis.”

​

​

- CODE OF VIRGINIA

​

4 of 15

2022

VDOE Standards Rejected by Board

​

From 2021-22, standards are drafted through a board sanctioned and collaborative process. Those standards are replaced by the VDOE in their November draft. The VBOE does not accept those standards. In December, a group of 6 organizations release their “collaborative standards.”

2023

Board Review of Standards

​

On January 6th, the VDOE releases a new draft of standards. On February 2nd, the VBOE will review standards in Social Studies. It is unclear if they will be reviewing the updated standards by the VDOE or the Collaborative Standards.

2020

African American History Commision

​

AAHEC Commision support revisions to the 2015 History and Social Science Curriculum Framework which were adopted by the Virginia Board of Education

2021

New Standards are Initiated

​

In January, the VBOE establishes a timeline for the drafting of new standards. That work begins in earnest later that spring. .

5 of 15

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 BALOW DRAFT

​

Released by the state superintendent in response to the August Draft.

​

No public comment prior to publishing, out-of-state collaborators used, one writer with a Masters in Liberal Arts. Lack of transparency in the process.

​

6 of 15

DECEMBER 20, 2022 “COLLABORATIVE DRAFT”

​

This draft was co-constructed and released by the VSSLC, VASCD, and American Historical Association on December 20th.

​

This draft was created in response to specific request by the VBOE on November 17th.

7 of 15

JANUARY 6, 2023 - BALOW DRAFT

​

The VDOE under Balow delivers their second draft of the standards to the VBOE following the rejection of the November 17th draft.

8 of 15

JANUARY 17, 2023 RESPONSE TO NEW VDOE/BALOW DRAFT

​

Multiple state and national organizations reviewed the VDOE/BALOW draft. Upon review all organizations below rejected that draft and urged the VBOE to consider the “Collaborative Standards” for first review.

9 of 15

IMPLICATIONS OF THE JANUARY 6TH (BALOW/VDOE) DRAFT

ACADEMIC MISALIGNMENT/DEVELOPMENTAL APPROPRIATENESS

​

  • The January draft includes content that is very complex and beyond the general cognitive levels of students in the grades in which they appear. (Eg. SOL 2.9b requires 2nd grade students to learn about the War of 1812, which is a very complex conflict involving expansion, international trade, and maritime rights
  • 4th graders are required to learn about the Supreme Court case of Green v. New Kent County that dealt with “freedom of choice” plans that served to circumvent desegregation in public schools following the decision in Brown II.)

​

10 of 15

IMPLICATIONS CONT.

MISTAKES/OMISSIONS

  • The January draft standards document contains several mistakes and omissions, undermining its credibility as a set of professional standards of learning.
    • Omissions- Indigenous People’s Day, the term “fascism,” the five themes of geography, and the history of labor.
    • Mistakes- stating the Marshall Plan helped rebuild Japan; grouping the founding of the NAACP with Reconstruction.

​

​

​

​

11 of 15

IMPLICATIONS CONT.

DEPTH OF LEARNING

  • The January draft standards include an excessive amount of required content that cannot be reasonably taught in a given school year. These standards will lead to increased focus on rote memorization at the expense of deeper learning, understanding, and skill development.
    • There are 187 different persons featured by name in the January draft standards.
    • There are an average of 10 standards/sub-standards added to each grade level
    • In 2015, there were a total of 737 standards/sub-standards; 744 in the Collaborative Draft; and 869 in the January draft which totals 132 additional standards with no additional instructional time.

​

​

​

12 of 15

IMPLICATIONS CONT.

COURSE SEQUENCE

​

The January draft standards mandate a specific course sequence that could cause major disruptions for courses in grades 5-9.

  • If adopted, this would move middle school courses to elementary and high school courses to middle school.
    • Potential to create staffing issues
    • The altered sequence of courses negatively impacts students who are already in the middle of a particular course sequence.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

13 of 15

CALL TO ACTION

  1. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE BALOW DRAFT AND THE RESPONSE FROM NCSS, NCSS, VGA, VASCD, AHA, VSSLC AND NAACP.

​

​

  • PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING UP TO SPEAK AT THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING NEXT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2. THE BOARD WANTS TO HEAR FROM TEACHERS AND PARENTS!

​

14 of 15

15 of 15

QUESTIONS?