Social Studies
Oklahoma Academic Standards for the Social Studies,
Pre-Kindergarten - 12
On February 28, 2019, the Oklahoma State Board of Education adopted the Oklahoma Academic Standards for the Social Studies, Pre-K - 12 as the new Social Studies curriculum standards framework for Oklahoma's schools. The framework sets forth a challenging and focused course of study and is designed to lay the groundwork for citizenship development.
(click image for a complete copy of the standards document)
Subscribe to the Social Studies Newsletter here.
Contact:
Brenda Beymer-Chapman, J.D.
Project Manager, Social Studies and Personal Financial Literacy
(405) 522-3523
United States Naturalization Test Graduation Requirement:
Holocaust Education
Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, Holocaust education shall be taught to students in grades six through twelve in public schools in this state, as prescribed in the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Holocaust education may be integrated into one or more existing courses of study and shall be taught in a manner that:
1. Generates an understanding of the causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust;
2. Develops dialogue with students on the ramifications of bullying, bigotry, stereotyping, and discrimination; and
3. Encourages tolerance of diversity and reverence for human dignity for all citizens in a pluralistic society.
To support school districts in meeting the new Holocaust Education requirements, resources related to the causes, series of events, and effects of the Holocaust can be found here and sources related to the Nuremberg Trials can be found here. Additional resources supporting the implementation of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for grades 6-12 can be found in the Oklahoma Curriculum Frameworks and the Holocaust Resource page.
Law Enforcement Elective
House Bill 2265 becomes effective November 1, 2023. This bill allows high schools to offer a law enforcement elective and tasks the SDE with creation of its materials and curricula.
• Section 1(A): A school district is allowed to provide an elective course in law enforcement to eleventh- and twelfth-grade students.
• Section 1(B): The elective course in law enforcement must cover the basics of law enforcement training, the skills and entry requirements necessary to become a law enforcement professional, and the career opportunities available in law enforcement.
• Section 1(C): The State Board of Education can collaborate with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to develop instructional materials and curricula for school districts to use in the law enforcement elective course.
New law at: 70 O.S. § 11-103.15
Contact Brenda Beymer-Chapman for curriculuar resources.
Social Studies Resources
United States Senate Youth Program
- United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
The 63rd Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is held in Washington, D.C. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Delegates hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Each delegate is awarded a $10,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies. Information about the national program can be found at ussenateyouth.org. Also, access the national brochure.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education coordinates and implements the USSYP on a yearly basis. It is overseen by Brenda Beymer-Chapman, the Director of Social Studies Education in the Office of Instruction on behalf of State Superintendent. The USSYP is a competitive scholarship program in which two Oklahoma high school students will win a one-week, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a $10,000 college scholarship from the Hearst Foundations.
Oklahoma applications can be accessed here and are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2024. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Finalists will be notified by November 1, 2024. Finalists will be required to attend an interview in November 2024. On the basis of the personal interview, essays, letter of recommendation, and application, judges will select two student delegates to represent Oklahoma and a first and second alternate. The two students chosen to represent Oklahoma as delegates and the two students chosen as alternates will be notified by December 31, 2024.
For additional information contact Brenda Beymer-Chapman
Constitution Day
US Federal Law Requires Lessons on Constitution: Pub. L. 108-447, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Dec. 8,2004; 118 Stat. 2809, 3344-45, “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”
Celebrate Freedom Week
Celebrate Freedom , An Oklahoma Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2001, Section 24-152, which relates to Veterans Day in public schools; designating Celebrate Freedom Week. Read the full bill.
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Civil Rights Instructional Resources
Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the State Department of Education shall identify resources and provide examples of lesson plans designed to help teachers provide instruction regarding the events of the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968. The resources should cover the natural law and nonviolent resistance strategies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and include a unit on other forms of discriminatory injustice such as genocide. These resources reaffirm the state's commitment to reject bigotry, promote equal protection under the law, and act against injustice wherever it may occur.
The resources can be taught as a stand-alone unit of instruction or integrated into existing courses. 70 O.S. § 11-103.6p
The following resources have been approved for use in the instruction of the Civil Rights Movement:
Additional resources supporting the instruction of the Civil Rights Movement can be found in the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies Frameworks.=
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PragerU Kids
PragerU Kids is a nonprofit educational media company that provides free resources for teachers, parents, and students PK-12th. PragerU’s content is engaging, educationally sound, and classroom-friendly while being grounded in traditional American values that inspire self-reliance, patriotism, and resiliency while teaching core knowledge in subjects ranging from civics to financial literacy. Other subjects include biographies, Western civilization, history, geography, American holidays and landmarks, entrepreneurship, and character development.
- PragerU Kids Main Page
- PragerU Kids Civics (Street Smarts)
- PragerU Kids Lesson Plans
- PragerU Kids Worksheets
- PragerU Kids Books and Magazines
- PragerU Educators Landing Page
Professional Development, Grants, and Fellowship Resources
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Fund for Teachers/Colonial Williamsburg Institute - Oklahoma
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Social Studies Newsletters
- June 2020
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