Engaging students in social studies goes beyond simply covering the material; it’s about helping them connect historical events to current issues and develop critical thinking skills. In today’s rapidly changing world, students need more than just facts to succeed. Investing in high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for social studies is essential for enhancing student achievement, fostering critical thinking, and closing the educational achievement gap.
This blog post is based on the eBook, High-Quality Instructional Materials for Social Studies: A Comprehensive Guide for Choosing Curriculum, which explores how HQIM enhances social studies education, boosts student achievement, and offers criteria for evaluating materials. You’ll also learn about HQIM’s impact on academic performance and civic readiness, along with strategies for effective implementation.
Investing in HQIM for social studies can lead to substantial improvements in student achievement, both academically and beyond. A meta-analysis conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that using high-quality curricula can result in significant learning gains equivalent to an additional three to four months of additional learning per year. This impact is not limited to higher test scores; it also extends to the development of critical thinking skills, greater engagement with course content, and a stronger ability to connect historical events with contemporary issues.
Research by the Collaborative for Student Success (2021) also highlighted that students using HQIM demonstrate increased civic engagement and awareness. They were better equipped to analyze and respond to complex societal challenges, a crucial aspect of their preparation for life beyond the classroom.
Adopting high-quality learning materials is not only effective but can also be cost-neutral, which means it is no more expensive than current materials. Providing teachers with HQIM and curriculum-based professional learning is a proven strategy to address learning gaps and accelerate learning.
Evaluating HQIM in Social Studies
As noted by Chiefs for Change, “Curriculum may not be a silver bullet, but providing educators with rigorous, aligned instructional materials is a critically important, evidence-based reform that is hiding in plain sight.”
By investing in HQIM, districts can ensure that their students receive a rich, engaging education that not only meets academic standards but also prepares them to be informed, active participants in society. The long-term benefits of such an investment are clear: improved student achievement, enhanced critical thinking and civic skills, and a more equitable and effective education system overall.
Use the following checklist when evaluating a new social studies curriculum to determine whether it meets the threshold of high quality. A printable version of this checklist is available in the eBook.
While this checklist is a valuable tool, it is also important to involve teachers in the evaluation process. Consider your specific student population and community context, pilot materials before full adoption when possible, and continuously evaluate effectiveness after implementation.
Access to HQIM Reduces the Achievement Gap
Lack of access to HQIM impacts student learning, particularly in schools with a higher percentage of free and reduced lunch. “In a single school year, the average student spends 581 of 720 available hours on assignments that are not high quality.” This impacts lower-income students more broadly as they have less access to HQIM.
Giving teachers access to HQIM makes a difference in their teaching practice and effectiveness. “When students who started the year off behind grade level were given more grade-appropriate assignments, stronger instruction, deeper engagement, and higher expectations, the gap between these students and their higher-achieving peers began to narrow substantially.”
However, HQIM alone is not enough to improve student achievement. Teachers need professional learning opportunities to know how to implement new materials effectively. In a recent study, 22.8% of teachers received no professional learning on new classroom materials; 37.7% received just one to five hours; and only 9.8% received more than twenty hours of professional learning.
To move the needle on student achievement, researchers make the following recommendations for districts:
- Invest in HQIM to ensure that more students have access to rigorous instructional materials.
- Increase HQIM professional learning opportunities for both teachers and principals.
- Invite teachers to participate in the selection of HQIM
Access to HQIM, particularly when combined with curriculum-based professional learning, has an enormous positive impact on student achievement and closing the achievement gap.
HQIM in social studies is more than just a tool for academic improvement; it is a means to cultivate informed, engaged citizens prepared for the complexities of our world. By investing in HQIM and supporting educators through professional learning, districts can create a more equitable and effective educational environment.
Ready to take the next step? Download our ebook to dive deeper into the strategies and practical steps for implementing HQIM in your district. Gain access to detailed case studies, actionable checklists, and expert insights that can help you transform your social studies curriculum today.
