The Abiding Question as to Why Minnesota State Academic Standards Are Not Being Taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools >>>>> Look for Information and Discussion on This Matter in My Book, Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools: Current Condition, Future Prospect

As a formal, legal matter, the Minnesota State Academic Standards are not being taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS).  Why this is the case is one of the many topics pertinent to the knowledge and skill poverty of MPS students that I cover in my book, Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools:  Current Condition, Future Prospect.

 

I will give an overview of my findings and observations on the matter of the academic standards as relevant to the failure of the academic program of the MPS to impart key knowledge sets to MPS students.

 

For now, review this summary of the Social Studies Academic Standards as found on the Minnesota Department of Education website:

 

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Social Studies is the interdisciplinary study of citizenship and government, economics, geography, history, and other disciplines in the social sciences and humanities in which students develop the content, concepts, skills, and dispositions necessary to be informed and engaged citizens in the contemporary world.

For more information about Social Studies, contact Filiz Yargici at 651-582-8406 or at mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us.

Standards, Assessments and Graduation Requirements
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies, revised in 2011 (see below), sets the minimum statewide requirements for K-12 student achievement in the disciplines of citizenship and government, economics, geography, and history.

Minnesota State Statute requires all students to satisfactorily complete all social studies standards and their corresponding benchmarks in order to graduate (Minn. Stat. § 120B.024, subd. 1(5)). For grades K-8, there are grade-specific standards for each of the four main disciplines. For grades 4-8, there is one lead discipline for each grade level. The high school social studies standards are banded and must be taught within the grade span of 9-12. Schools may offer courses in additional disciplines including anthropology, psychology, and sociology. The 2011 Social Studies Standards will be reviewed in 2020-21 and every ten years thereafter (Minn Stat. § 120B.021, subd 4(f)). Additionally, social studies students in grades 6-12 must complete the Literacy in History/Social Studies standards included in the 2010 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts (pages 80-90, see below).

There is no state test for social studies; school districts create their own assessments to measure student progress on the social studies standards. Graduation requirements for social studies state that all students are required to satisfactorily complete three and one-half (3.5) credits of social studies, including U.S. history, geography, government and citizenship, world history and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies. Read more on the graduation requirements page.

Civics Test Requirement
In 2016, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law requiring Minnesota students in public schools to pass a civics test. Passing this test is not required for graduation. The test consists of 50 out of the 100 questions in the INS Naturalization Test. The 50 questions are selected by Learning Law and Democracy Foundation in consultation with civics teachers. The selected test questions are posted on Minnesota's Legacy website. This legislation is effective for students enrolling in grade 9 in the 2017-2018 school year. Students must pass 30 of the 50 questions. How the test is given is up to local school districts and instructors. The law is effective for students enrolling in grade 9 in the 2017-2018 school year.  Read the Civics Test Questions FAQ for more information.

The Minnesota Center for Social Studies Education (CSSE) was established in 2009 as a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Historical Society and includes other statewide social studies organizations. The CSSE supports educators with standards implementation, classroom resources, and opportunities for professional development. Visit the CSSE website.