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Senate
Resolution 483
By:
Senator Harp of the 29th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Encouraging
the effective teaching of social studies in Georgia´s public schools and
urging the State Board of Education and each local board of education in this
state to ensure that certain tenets for effective social studies teaching and
learning are followed; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
because of the broad nature of its content, social studies has always been a
challenging discipline to teach and learn; and
WHEREAS,
social studies includes the diverse subjects of geography, history, political
science (civics and government), economics, anthropology, archaeology, law,
philosophy, psychology, religion, and sociology; and
WHEREAS,
identifying the most critical topics and concepts within such topics and the
appropriate place to teach such topics has been an ongoing struggle for
educators from the inception of social studies as a discipline; and
WHEREAS,
the federal No Child Left Behind Act, enacted in 2002, did not specifically
mention social studies, except in its requirements for highly qualified
teachers, and it did not require a regular assessment in social studies, and
with increased pressure to show improvement in reading and mathematics scores,
social studies is being perceived as a less important subject, as demonstrated
by a 2005 study of Georgia elementary school teachers; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Council for Social Studies asserts that, given current world
affairs, the need for social studies instruction is greater than ever before;
and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Council for Social Studies advocates these tenets for effective
social studies teaching and learning:
1.
Treat social studies in all respects as an important core
discipline;
2.
Devote time each day to social studies instruction;
3.
Teach social studies to all students at all grade levels;
4.
Give adequate support to teachers to provide effective social studies
instruction; and
5.
Prepare teachers adequately both in sufficient content and appropriate
pedagogical practices to teach social studies; and
WHEREAS,
when social studies is taught and taught well, our students will be prepared to
participate actively and effectively as citizens of a culturally diverse,
democratic society in an interdependent world.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body encourage
the effective teaching of social studies in Georgia´s public schools and
urge the State Board of Education and each local board of education in this
state to ensure that the tenets for effective social studies teaching and
learning as outlined herein are followed.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the State Board of
Education and to each local board of education in this state.