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State board adopts revised social studies frameworks after broad review
Summary
The Maryland State Board of Education unanimously adopted revised PreK'12 social studies frameworks June 25 after a multi-stage review process led by the Social Studies Frameworks and Validation Committee and broad input from local supervisors, teachers and community groups.
The Maryland State Board of Education unanimously adopted updated PreK'12 social studies frameworks on June 25, the board announced after a presentation by MSDE social studies director Peter Ramsey and a recommendation from the Education Policy Committee.
Ramsey told the board the Frameworks and Validation Committee used a "scalpel approach," making precise edits rather than rewriting the state's frameworks. "The committee was intentional and precise in identifying what needed to be revised, just as importantly what needed to be left untouched," Ramsey said. He said revisions affect roughly 3 percent of objectives at grades 9'12, about 7 percent in grades 6'8 and 9 percent at the elementary level, with many changes structural or clarifying.
MSDE described a layered engagement process that began with the state SFEC committee and moved to targeted feedback from local social studies supervisors, a public comment period and, ultimately, in-depth workshops in February that included 23 of 24 local education agencies. Ramsey said the feedback led to clearer language, updated examples to improve inclusivity and local relevance, and streamlined content to reduce redundancy.
Education Policy Committee Chair Dr. Lewis reported the committee unanimously recommended adoption. The board moved to adopt on a motion from Dr. Johnson; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
Support and remaining questions: MSDE staff and Ramsey noted the changes were specifically crafted to help teachers interpret and implement objectives more readily. Ramsey and director-level staff described next steps pending adoption: MSDE will pair the updated standards with guidance, professional learning, and work on aligned assessments and high-quality instructional materials. MSDE said an RFP for a new assessment alignment process is underway and instructional-material reviews will follow once standards are finalized.
Public commenters and organizations provided letters of support with suggested amendments during the review. Ramsey mentioned that UnidosUS and the Maryland State Education Association submitted letters supporting the revisions with suggested changes that MSDE incorporated where appropriate.
What the adoption means: With the board's action, MSDE may finalize posted frameworks and begin the next phase: item development for aligned statewide assessments, a schedule of professional learning for teachers, and identification of high-quality instructional materials aligned to the new standards.
(Reporting note: article draws on the boardroom presentation and transcript remarks.)
