A change could soon be on the horizon for social studies standards for students from kindergarten through high school in Tennessee.
Tennessee State Board of Education Executive Director Dr. Sara Morrison and State Commissioner of Education Dr. Candice McQueen held a joint teleconference Wednesday afternoon with media outlets within the state to discuss the revisions to social studies standards that will go before the State Board Friday.
Following the first reading in April, various revisions were made, according to Morrison.
One of the key changes to the first draft was the addition of Tennessee history.
The 110th Tennessee General Assembly passed the Senator Douglas Henry Tennessee Henry Act, which mandates a Tennessee history be taught in grades K-12.
Morrison added the new course would fall into the second half of fifth grade’s school year. Along with the course, third and fourth-grade students will be provided a sound foundation heading into fifth grade by learning basic historical context of the state.
According to documents provided by the State Board, third grade will see an expanded focus on students being able to describe life on the Tennessee Frontier and reasons why settlers moved west while fourth grade students will learn more about the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War, while noting Fort Loudoun’s role in the matter.
From eighth grade on, students will learn about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, vigilante justice in the South, the role of Governor William Brownlow, African American History and the role of organizations during the Civil Rights Movements, the Scopes Trial and U.S. government and civics.
While Tennessee History received revisions due to the General Assembly’s decision, geography did not get any changes since the first reading. The proposed standards stated that geography would be integrated in courses spanning grades K-12 – ranging from the physical study of land to how humans interact with their environment.
According to the State Board, early elementary grades’ geography lessons would feature a focus on both basic U.S. and Tennessee geography. The course would then be integrated into both American history and world history courses for third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth grades along with high school classes. High schools would also offer an elective World Geography course that includes physical, cultural and political geography.
Both Morrison and McQueen thanked the different individuals that took part in the revision process, including teachers, the state board and members of the public that weighed in with opinions.
When asked about the workload this could place on teaching states across the state, Morrison added that the standards were composed with the best interest of both teachers and students with input from educators.
“Overall, these standards were created for the best interest of our students moving forward,” McQueen said.
The standards will be presented during a workshop on Thursday, July 27, before going for a final vote on Friday, July 29. The workshop and board meeting will both be live streamed on the State Board of Education’s website. The social studies standards can also be viewed on the page.
If approved, the academic standards will be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year.