Social Studies
Social Studies
Webpages in this section feature social studies information supporting each part of Ohio’s educational system: Ohio’s Learning Standards, the Model Curricula, assessments and additional resources to help teachers in their classrooms. Click on each section of the graphic below to explore how these components work together.
Philosophy and Guiding Assumptions of Social Studies
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 participants in public life. Although civic competence is not the only responsibility of social studies nor is it exclusive to the field, it is more central to social studies than any other subject areas in schools. Civic competence rests on a commitment to democratic values and requires the ability to use knowledge about one’s community, nation, and world; apply inquiry processes; and employ skills to of data collection and analysis, collaboration, decision-making, and problem solving.
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the professional organization for social studies educators in the United States, outlines the purpose of social studies in its definition of the discipline:
“Using an inquiry-based approach, social studies helps students examine vast human experiences through the generation of questions, collection and analysis of evidence from credible sources, consideration of multiple perspectives, and the application of social studies knowledge and disciplinary skills. As a result of examining the past, participating in the present, and learning how to shape the future, social studies prepares learners for a lifelong practice of civil discourse and civic engagement in their communities. Social studies centers knowledge of human rights and local, national, and global responsibilities so that learners can work together to create a just world in which they want to live.”
Resources
To access supporting materials for teaching Ohio students, click on the links below.
State of Elementary Social Studies Survey
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce invites elementary educators and administrators to complete the State of Elementary Social Studies survey.
The survey’s purpose is to learn more about the state of elementary social studies instruction, instructional materials, and professional learning needs. The survey will close on May 23.
Email SocialStudies@education.ohio.gov with any questions.
Professional Learning Opportunities
The Department provides professional learning opportunities to support educators and school districts in providing high-quality standards-aligned instruction in social studies and using high-quality instructional materials to elevate student learning. Available professional learning sessions and registration information are listed below as scheduled.
Questions regarding the professional learning opportunities can be emailed to SocialStudies@education.ohio.gov.
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Linda McKean
Social Studies Specialist
Jessee Hankins
Financial Literacy-Social Studies Specialist
Email: SocialStudies@education.ohio.gov
Last Modified: 5/13/2025 1:53:24 PM