(Metro Creative Services)

The Louisiana Department of Education reported that statewide social studies mastery scores during the 2021-2022 remained stagnant with an average score of 25 percent.

In an effort to improve social studies scores, the state is working to update its social studies curriculum and standards — a move they said was needed before this latest batch of scores were compiled.

According to CPSB Chief Academic Officer Jason VanMetre, the last time the state social studies standards were revised was 10 years ago.

“Like every subject area, the LDOE periodically reviews the standards to ensure that they are still relevant as well as revising any standards necessary,” he said. “The new standards tend to stress a deeper understanding of social studies rather than a cursory approach.”

He said new standards also “stress a variety of perspectives with respect to historical events.”

VanMetre said CPSB is working to dissect the new state standards for social studies. In an effort to improve district scores, CPSB is additionally increasing assistance for social studies teachers via the curriculum and instruction staff, as well as emphasizing district-wide collaboration between social studies teachers.

VanMetre said during district in-service time, teachers will be working together to learn the new standards together. This collaborative effort will “ensure that consistency exists between classrooms and ideas are shared between teachers.”

Ensuring a consistent understanding of the new standards will aid in improving district-wide student learning, retention and testing.

“While assessment of the new standards does not begin this year, teachers are preparing now for when the new assets are implemented,” he said. “To provide an example, our middle school teachers were able to review a draft of the standards last year and have already started collaborating and planning for implementation together.”

Unpacking curriculum and standards updates is not an easy task, but VanMetre said he is thankful for the staff and resources that CPSB has to complete this arduous process.

“Fortunately, CPSB has curriculum specialists at each level that will help ensure our teachers transition smoothly between the old and new standards,” he explained. “Curriculum specialists will be able to conduct training to help develop ways to unpack and implement the standards.”

The new standards will not take effect until the 2023-2024 school year, giving teachers a year to prepare for any shifts in curriculum, VanMetre said.

He said CPSB also has several employees serving on “state-level committees regarding these standards.” This will help with the implementation and transition process.

Social studies is a vital and vast subject area, VanMetre said. It encompasses subjects such as civics, economics, geography and history.

“So much of what is taught in social studies is important to a well-rounded education,” he said. “Understanding how our government works, how the economy functions, how to read maps and learning about different cultures, as well as learning about the history of our country and others around the world are all important aspects of being an active and productive citizen. Social studies is the story of how the other curriculum areas like math, English and science have changed and progressed over the years.”