Oklahoma Academic Standards Feedback for Social Studies

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies – Draft Available for Public Comment

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is seeking feedback on the revised Draft Oklahoma PreK-12 Social Studies Standards, which are up for review and revision in 2019. The OSDE facilitates a revision of academic subject matter standards every six years in accordance with 70 O.S. § 11-103.6a.

Academic subject matter standards are concise, written descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at a specific stage of their education. Academic standards describe educational objectives (i.e., what students should have learned by the end of a course, grade level or grade span), but they do not describe a particular teaching practice, curriculum or assessment method.

OSDE asks that all interested stakeholders provide feedback on the standards by following the process below:

1. Gather a team of stakeholders and set aside approximately one hour to complete a review for each grade band you choose.
2. Download the Draft Standards for PreK-12
3. Submit feedback by February 4, 2019, to OklahomaStandardsPublicComment@sde.ok.gov

All feedback received during the Public Comment period will be reviewed by the OSDE and Social Studies Writing Committee for consideration in the revision process.

For more information about the standards review process, contact Brenda.Chapman@sde.ok.gov

Development of the Revised Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies

Vision and Guiding Principles

The aim of social studies is the promotion of civic competence – the knowledge, intellectual processes and democratic dispositions required of students to be active and engaged citizens in public life. In order to accomplish this task, the individuals involved in the revision of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies were asked to create standards that:

• Are clear, concise, objective, measurable and grade-level appropriate;
• Ensure students are college, career and citizen ready;
• Do not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum;
• Develop social studies practices that support content standards;
• Exhibit strong progression in learning across grade levels;
• Emphasize civics and tribal sovereignty.

Executive Committee

An Executive Committee was established to assist in planning the revision process for the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies and to select representatives to serve on Draft and Writing Committees. Executive Committee members also were members of the Writing Committee. OSDE extends a special thanks to the following Executive Committee members who gave their time, service and expertise to the revision process:

• Dr. Bob Blackburn – Oklahoma Historical Society
• Dr. Mert Martens — Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies
• Rita Geiger — Former Director of Social Studies at OSDE
• Richard Kilgore – Oklahoma City Public Schools
• Ryan Walters – McAlester High School
• Julian Guerrero - Executive Director of American Indian Education at OSDE

Writing Committee

Through an application process, the Writing Committee was selected to revise the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies. The committee met at OSDE on three occasions and numerous times virtually and was comprised of 50 representatives from PK-12 education, higher education, tribal representatives and community members from across the state. View the full list of Writing Committee members. 

Draft Committee

Through an application process, the Draft Committee was selected to review draft standards developed by the Writing Committee and provide feedback. The committee was comprised of 61 representatives from PK-12 education, higher education, tribal representatives and community members from across the state. View the full list of Draft Committee members.

Standards Revision Timeline

• April 17, 2018: Standards committee applications open
• May 8, 2018: Standards committee applications close
• June 2–November 2018: Writing Committee meets to draft standards
  • June 5, 2018: Writing Committee meeting at OSDE
  • September 13, 2018: Writing Committee meeting at OSDE
  • October 4, 2018: Writing Committee meeting at OSDE
• July–November 2018: Draft Committee meets to review and provide feedback on the standards
• December 2018: Writing Committee meets to address Draft Committee final feedback
• January 4, 2019: Public Comment period opens
• February 4, 2019: Public Comment period closes
• February 2019: Writing Committee meets to address Public Comment feedback
• February 28, 2019: Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies presented to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for consideration
• March 2019: Pending State Board approval, Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies submitted to the Oklahoma State Legislature for consideration

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is civics addressed in these standards?

The revision process was guided by recent changes in state law under S.B. 3311, 2018 (see 70 O.S. § 11-103.6 and § 1210.508). S.B. 3311 requires:

• The subject matter standards for history, social studies and U.S. Government to include the content of the U.S. naturalization test, with an emphasis on the specific content of the test and the ideas and concepts it references;
• The subject matter standards for U.S. Government to include an emphasis on civics. “Civics” is defined to mean the study of the rights and duties of Oklahoma and United States citizens and of how those governments work; and
• The U.S. History assessment to include an emphasis on civics.

As a result, the draft Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies include revisions to the content standards and the addition of new social studies practices that reflect an emphasis on civics.

2. How are public comments utilized in the standards development process?

Public comments inform the Writing Committee in the areas of clarity, grade-level appropriateness and general opportunities to improve the standards. While every review is considered, common themes often arise and are given particularly careful consideration.

3. When will these standards be officially adopted?

The standards will be presented to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for consideration at the February 2018 Board meeting. Pending approval, they will then be submitted to the Oklahoma Legislature for consideration of approval.

4. When will these standards be implemented in Oklahoma schools?

Upon approval of standards from the Oklahoma Legislature during the 2019 Legislative Session, Oklahoma schools should begin implementation during the 2019-20 school year. Many support structures and professional development opportunities will be provided beginning in the same school year to support full implementation by the 2020-21 school year.

5. Will Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks be developed?

Upon approval of standards from the Oklahoma Legislature during the 2019 Legislative Session, the Oklahoma State Department of Education will begin the process of working with Oklahoma educator to develop Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks to support educators with the implementation of the new standards.

6. When will school districts be able to purchase new textbooks for social studies?

The Oklahoma State Textbook Committee will review social studies instructional materials beginning in July 2019. In November 2019, the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee will vote on an approved list of textbooks/instructional materials in accordance with the laws and legislation outline in http://oktextbooks.ok.gov/textbook_pdf/LawandLegis.pdf. School districts will have an opportunity to review instructional materials from the approved list from December 2019 to June 2019. School districts may use textbook funds to purchase new textbooks/instructional materials for social studies beginning July 1, 2020.