Polarization in the United States and controversy over the teaching of content some deem "divisive" has resulted in the enactment of restrictive legislation in many states. Such constraints contribute to a fraught environment in schools today and significantly impact the work of teaching. Utilizing frameworks of "ambitious…

This study explores social studies teachers' self-reported instruction about teaching the 2020 election in U.S. secondary schools. We analyzed survey responses from 1,723 secondary social studies teachers from 12 states (3 left-leaning, 3 right-leaning, 6 battleground) collected in the weeks after the election, examining self-reported pedagogies,…

This descriptive exploratory study describes teacher self-efficacy in providing LGBTQ+ support in the implicit and explicit social studies curriculum in the wake of numerous anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in education in Florida. Four high school social studies teachers from three different Florida public school districts were interviewed to answer three…

Differences of opinion are inherent in controversial issues, because controversy arises when reasonable people disagree about the best way to reach a solution to a problem. However, social studies teachers tend to shy away from disagreements because they want to avoid upsetting students or parents by bringing up controversial topics in the…

The purpose of this attitudinal study is to investigate the role that social studies methods courses in Florida play in examining controversial issues with their pre-service teachers. Five research questions established the parameters for the investigation of pre-service teachers' attitudes toward the use of controversial issues through the…

The "International Society for the Social Studies (ISSS) Annual Conference Proceedings" is a peer-reviewed professional publication published once a year following the annual conference. The following papers are included in the 2016 proceedings: (1) The Emergence of Social Studies in Trinidad and Tobago (Leela Ramsook); (2) Opinions of…

In this qualitative study, the authors first explore the "sense making" of Emma, a former high school teacher (and co-author of this study), with regard to discussion of issues around race that became controversial in her social studies classroom. Her student population comprised predominantly white, rural, socioeconomically…

This curriculum guide presents a sociology course for 11th and 12th grade Seminole County (Florida) students. Seven units are covered in the course: (1) society and culture; (2) social structure; (3) social institutions; (4) socialization; (5) continuity and change; (6) social problems; and (7) the research process. For each unit both county and…

This guide from the Seminole County School Board (Florida) outlines the curriculum for a psychology course offered to 11th and 12th grade students. Five units are covered in the course: (1) introduction; (2) the workings of the mind and body; (3) human development; (4) psychological theories; and (5) human relations. For each unit both county and…

This report of the Florida Commission on Social Studies Education reviews the status of social studies education in Florida public schools and makes recommendations for improving instruction to meet the needs of Florida students in grades K-12. In reviewing the status of social studies in Florida, the Commission concluded that there was no single,…

This elective course on the changing roles of women is for use by 10th through 12th grade students. The guide analyzes the changes occurring in the roles of American women, with students examining the history of women, the psychology of being a woman, the various emotional and physical changes that women undergo, and women's choices for a full…

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER SIMULATION TECHNIQUES WERE APPLIED IN A STUDY OF INNOVATION FOR A 10TH-GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE. THE COURSE CONTENT WAS AMERICAN HISTORY WHICH WAS DIVIDED INTO 10 CONTENT AREAS SUCH AS COLONIAL, REVOLUNTIONARY, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMERICAN. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COURSE INCLUDED TEAM TEACHING, LECTURES, MEDIA…

Presents a secondary level teaching unit on the role of rogues and entrepreneurs in Indiana and Florida from World War I through the 1920s. The unit helps students recognize the continuing struggle to maintain basic constitutional freedoms, particularly freedom of speech and religion. Discusses ways to develop the unit and includes a list of…

Secondary level students explore the state of poverty in affluent America in this quinmester social studies course. The objectives are for students to assess personal views and understandings of poverty; to locate the poor through research; to identify the causes and economic, social, and political effects of poverty; to examine changing attitudes…

This guide provides descriptions of the social studies courses that are offered in Florida schools for students in grades six through eight. Specifically, the guide presents broad guidelines for course content and outcomes and is intended to assist educators in developing specific instructional plans for given subject areas. The guide is designed…