RICHMOND 鈥 Sen. , D-Henrico, is putting pressure on the to include social studies exam scores in the state鈥檚 new school accountability system, which is set to take effect this fall.
The new system will publicly rank each Virginia school in one of four performance categories: distinguished, on track, off track and needs intensive support. The criteria for each ranking include test scores in reading, writing math and science 鈥 but not social studies.
VanValkenburg sent a letter to the Virginia Board of Education on Monday, asking members to incorporate social studies exam scores into the school accountability system. The letter's signers include leaders of the American Historical Association, National Council for the Social Studies and the Virginia Social Science Association, among other organizations.
鈥淭he co-signers of this letter have differing opinions on Virginia鈥檚 new accountability standards," the letter states. "However, we all agree that creating informed citizens is a key mission of public education and that prioritizing social studies education is the most direct and important way that schools succeed in furthering that mission, particularly by teaching civics and United States history."
The letter adds: 鈥淲e also agree that in this era, civics and history knowledge are more important than ever to developing critical analysis and thinking skills; yet, Virginia students are getting increasingly less of such instruction, especially with cuts to humanities and civics programs.鈥
The current school accreditation system relies heavily on basic operational measures like whether schools have the lights on, while the new system will emphasize academic measures, like test scores.
鈥淥ne of the big changes in the accountability system is measuring these exams for proficiency and growth," VanValkenburg, a social studies teacher in Henrico County, said in an interview on Monday. "So, if we're going to do that, why are we excluding U.S. history and eighth grade civics?鈥
鈥淲e should include those because schools are going to prioritize what's being measured鈥 How well (students) contribute to citizenship should be included.鈥
Emily Anne Gullickson, the state superintendent for public instruction, did not respond to requests for comment.
