The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) states that social studies "is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." For students to become fully empowered participants in democracy, students must draw upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, sociology as well as content from the humanities to develop broad conceptual understandings in social studies. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens of a diverse democratic society in an interdependent world.
Announcements
KRS 158.196 Instructional materials standards and concepts -- Documents and speeches to be included.
Section 4(3)(a) of Senate Bill 1 (2022) created 158.196 to require the KDE to incorporate fundamental American documents and speeches into the grade-level appropriate middle and high school social studies academic standards by July 1, 2023. The Social Studies Advisory Panels and Review Committee were reconvened in July 2022 to address the required additions.
Kentucky Academic Standards Implementation
Questions related to standards implementation can be directed to standards@education.ky.gov.
For more information on the social studies standards, visit the Social Studies Standards webpage and view the Social Studies Standards Resources.
Assessment Information
For information on testing, visit the Office of Assessment and Accountability’s Assessment webpage. Assessment inquires may be directed to dacinfo@education.ky.gov.
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