05/09/2017
AMENDMENT TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL STUDIES TESTING
Your action is needed TONIGHT OR THE MORNING
MARGINALIZATION LIKELY
Senators Sheheen and Fanning have introduced TWO amendments before passing the final accountability bill to ELIMINATE testing of social studies at any grade level.
The General Assembly has enacted more laws regarding social studies instruction than any other subject of instruction (Title 59, Chapter 29). If social studies isn’t assessed any grade level, then will the instruction occur?
The word is that there is already enough votes to do it UNLESS YOU directly contact your Senator and/or Education Committee members and tell them clearly WHY it is critical to keep Social Studies in the Accountability System.
"I WANT TO ACT, BUT AM NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY..."
We all want to advocate for education but at times are uncertain how to do so. You actual do it all the time and do no realize it. In conversations we have in the greater community, we all explain to people what we do in the classroom and how there are external factors that impact our students.
Below are some points consider sharing with your Senator. Make sure you personalize your message, explaining to your Senator WHAT social studies is, WHY social studies is important, and WHAT WILL HAPPEN if social studies assessment is eliminated.
1. Social Studies is body of knowledge composed of History, Civics, Government, Economics, Geography (5 of the 11 core courses that the Partnership for 21st Century Skills say is necessary to be College, Career and Life ready.
2. The Profile of the SC Graduate emphasizes global perspective, integrity, communication, self-direction, perseverance, interpersonal skills, knowing how to access and evaluate information - ALL of these are addressed in Social Studies classroom
3. Civic Life Readiness is in the mission and goal approved by the business community and the legislature. Preparing students to be knowledgable and active citizens is taught through the Social Studies courses!
4. If this critical content area is not part of accountability, it is almost guaranteed that it will either be severely marginalized in time allocation, teacher resources and professional development, and lose importance to students. Before social studies assessment was introduced after the Education Accountability Act, social studies was often non-existent in any meaningful instruction at the elementary school. At the middle school level, social studies generally received half of the instructional time that math and English/Language Arts was allocated.
5. Excluding Social Studies from state accountability must be prevented by the legislature demonstrating that they believe in the importance of this instruction.
WHY ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT
Explain to your Senator WHAT will happen if social studies is removed from testing and most importantly, please tell them "As one of your constituents, I am strongly requesting that you will NOT support these amendments and do everything in your power to demonstrate that you do believe in the importance of this instruction."
Although many members of SC Administrators Association are in favor of reduced testing, we MUST do what is best for our STUDENTS, and not only what is easier for the adults. While we all want to see some reduction in testing, this amendment targets ONE test per year. The bulk of testing remains in English/Language Arts and Math.
PLEASE do not delay - the vote is most likely happening TOMORROW, so please take the time to communicate with your Senator and House members
If you do not know who your contact is, go to http://www.scstatehouse.gov/. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page complete the form "Find Your Legislators.”
PLEASE do not fail to do this - we are in immediate danger of losing our standing.
