Each state possesses its own highly complex adoption and revision process for K-12 social studies standards, as well as an equally complex governance structure. In other words, the education establishment knows exactly who is in charge of adopting K-12 social studies standards, and how and when the work gets done. Citizens, grassroots activists, and even policymakers, generally do not. The education establishment therefore generally has its way in crafting K-12 social studies standards, even when the public opposes their impositions.
We therefore have crafted State Information Packets for all 50 states and for the District of Columbia. These packets provide a digest of necessary information for working to reform social studies standards in each state. The information we provide generally includes current social studies standards and their current website location; how frequently the state is required to review and revise its social studies standards; state laws and administrative codes governing social studies instruction in the public schools; which state agencies and groups are responsible for writing and adopting social studies standards; the electoral or bureaucratic relationships these agencies have with the general public in the state; and what opportunity community members and educators have to offer feedback and comment during a standards’ revision cycle.
We provide links below to PDFs of State Information Packets for all the states and for the District of Columbia, in alphabetical order.
The research and drafting of these State Information Packets was done by Njomëza Pema, Research Associate for the Civics Alliance.