Iowa Team to Draft New Social Studies Standards

Last week Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise announced the members of a state team that will rewrite Iowa’s social studies standards for public review and possible adoption statewide. The team’s work will begin Jan. 21.
 
Iowa has set statewide standards for mathematics, English-language arts, science and 21st century skills that will be revisited over time. The state’s social studies standards have more room for growth and improvement, Wise said.

For example, about a third of Iowa middle school and high school teachers who responded to a recent survey said they were dissatisfied with Iowa’s social studies standards, which were adopted in 2008. In written comments, 17 percent of the surveyed teachers said Iowa needs clearer, more specific social studies standards.

Academic standards outline a set of expectations, not a curriculum, so decisions about how to help students reach statewide standards remain with teachers and school administrators.

The Social Studies Standards Writing Team will develop draft standards that will then be subject to public review in line with Gov. Branstad’s Executive Order 83. This will include convening a special review panel and seeking public input statewide.

Local members of the writing team include Rebecca Helland, Pella Schools; Jenny Sinclair, Norwalk Schools; Trenton Williams, Des Moines Schools; Jennifer Knight, Earlham Schools; Mike Miller, Ankeny Schools; Alicen Morley, Boone Schools; Jeff Ferguson, Dowling Catholic High School; Carol Van Waardhuizen, Ames Schools; Ryan Austin, Carroll Schools; Canada Snyder, Des Moines Schools; and Catherine Mein, Ballard Schools.