For many high school students, the benefits of civic education seem irrelevant and take place in their future lives. Student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in Civics is stagnant. In 2018, the average civics score for eighth-grade students was not significantly different from 2014 and had only increased by 3…

This article describes in detail, the New York State (NYS) Social Studies Toolkit, a curriculum and instructional resource that builds out from the recently released New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework, which reflects the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. The Toolkit has been developed by…

The implementation of the C3 Framework has unfolded unlike any previous standards project. A grassroots movement rather than a top-down mandate, the C3 effort calls on teachers to be at the forefront of social studies reform. In New York State, the C3 Framework provided context and inspiration for the New York Social Studies Toolkit Project.…

Reports on a study of the background and training of 178 economics teachers in 114 high schools in western New York State. Contends that teachers with no background have greater difficulty teaching economic topics than teachers trained in economics. (CFR)

Uses the example of New York State to illustrate how the rancorous political debate over education can render national standards irrelevant and contradictory. In appeasing so many factions the standards become inclusive to the point of obfuscation. Provides a brief overview of the controversy concerning national standards. (MJP)