With the introduction of Common Core State Standards (2012) in
forty-five out of fifty states, the United States is undergoing a change
regarding the types of skills that will be assessed in the classroom.
According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative (2012), a set of
standards has been created in order to provide students with a “robust and
relevant education reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young
people need for success in college and careers.” One portion of these
standards is designed to assess the types of skills that students need to
develop in order to be successful in English/Language Arts and
History/Social Studies. These skills include a student’s ability to read,
write, speak, listen, complete research based projects, and use professional
language that correlates to the classes that they are taking (Common Core
State Standards Initiative, 2012). In essence, students are being asked to
use 21st century thinking skills, which require students to make educated
arguments and then communicate those arguments in an authentic fashion. THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SOCIAL
STUDIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
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