Rubric

K-12 Social Studies

New Hampshire

Curriculum Framework

Governor of New Hampshire

John Lynch

Executive Council

District 1 Raymond S. Burton, Bath

District 2 Peter J. Spaulding, Hopkinton

District 3 Ruth L. Griffin, Portsmouth

District 4 Raymond J. Wieczorek, Manchester

District 5 Debora Pignatelli, Nashua

INTRODUCTION

K-12 SOCIAL STUDIES FRAMEWORK

What defines K-12 social studies instruction in New Hampshire?

Three documents provide the foundation for New Hampshire's K-12 Social Studies education.

1. The Minimum Standards for Public School Approval (Concord: State Board of Education, 1993) revised [2004]

2. State laws RSA 186:13 and RSA 189:11

3. The K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Framework

What are the minimum standards? The NH Minimum Standards for Public School Approval require that elementary and middle/junior high school students "acquire knowledge and understanding of civics, economics, geography, and history" and require that high school students "acquire knowledge and modes of inquiry" in the same four subjects "including the related areas of sociology, anthropology, and psychology."

What do the laws require? State laws RSA 186:13 and RSA 189:11 require specific instruction in the privileges, duties, and responsibilities of citizenship and in the history, government, and constitutions of the United States and New Hampshire.

What is the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Framework? The curriculum framework serves as a guide to what New Hampshire students should know and be able to do within the Social Studies. The framework does not establish a statewide curriculum. It is the responsibility of local teachers, administrators and school boards to:

* Identify and implement approaches best suited for the students in their communities to acquire the skills and knowledge suggested in the framework.

* Determine the scope, organization, and sequence of course offerings.

* Choose the methods of instruction, the activities, and materials to be used.