The goals of this seminar are to understand contemporary efforts to teach social and behavioral science in K-12 education, and determine next steps. This seminar builds on earlier efforts of the Division of the Behavioral and Social Science and Education and others to explore the place of the social and behavioral sciences (SBS) in the K-12 curriculum. Presenters and participants will examine new data on the public perception of SBS in K-12, and the current efforts and goals of five SBS disciplines—psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and economics – and possible linkages to the social studies and science curricula. The seminar will conclude with a discussion of priorities within and across these SBS disciplines for supporting the teaching of SBS in the future.
3. Background Materials
This seminar was informed by and built on earlier efforts of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education and others to explore the place of the social and behavioral sciences (SBS) in the K-12 curriculum. See the timeline and information related to these efforts below.
2004--Education and Training in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: A Report to the National Science Foundation
Levine, F.J., Abler, R.F., and Rosich, K. J. (2004). Education and Training in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: A Report to the National Science Foundation. A National Workshop on Improving Education in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. Washington, DC.
Chapter 2: Improving Kindergarten through Grade 12 Education in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
2010--Psychology as a Core Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Discipline: A Report of the APA 2009 Presidential Task Force on the Future of Psychology as a STEM discipline
2010--Behavioral and Social Sciences in STEM Education: A Workshop Summary
Sponsored by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2011--A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
National Research Council. (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-12 Science Education Standards. Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
An NRC committee developed a framework of practices, cross-cutting concepts, and core ideas in science and how they should be developed and built upon across K-12, incorporating broad public feedback.
2011--Planning Meeting on Teaching Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences in K-12 Education
This NRC planning meeting examined the state of practice and research on teaching social, behavioral and economic sciences in K-12 education, and explored future directions and possible roles for the National Research Council (NRC) in supporting the teaching of SBE in K-12.
Summary of Themes from Sessions 5 and 6: Strategies and Lessons from other Disciplines, and Potential Next Steps
and Remaining Questions
2013--Next Generation Science Standards
Achieve, Inc. worked with a group of states to develop the Next Generation Science Standards, based on a lengthy process and input from many stakeholders. Prior to publication, a committee of reviewers convened by the NRC, reviewed the NGSS for fidelity to the Framework.
2013--The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), The College Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History (Silver Spring, MD: NCSS, 2013).
Appendix B: Psychology Companion Document for the C3 Framework
Prepared by the American Psychological Association
Appendix C: Sociology Companion Document for the C3 Framework
Prepared by the American Sociological Association
Appendix D: Anthropology Companion Document for the C3 Framework
Prepared by the American Anthropological Association