History and Social Science
The History and Social Science curriculum follows the Virginia Standards of Learning. Each course, from kindergarten to grade twelve, is taught through four strands: history, geography, civics, and economics. Students take the SOL test at grades 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and end of course tests for verified credits in World History 1500 A.D. (C.E.) to the Present, World Geography, and Virginia and United States History.
Course Sequence:
Elementary School
History and Social Science is taught in grades K-5 through four strands: history, geography, civics, and economics. A cumulative Standards of Learning test for K-3 is administered in grade 3, and stand-alone SOL tests are administered in Virginia Studies (grade 4) and United States History to 1865 (grade 5).
Middle School
Grade 6, Virginia and United States History 1865 to Present
Grade 7, Civics and Economics
Grade 8, World History to 1500 A.D. (C.E.)
High School
Required Courses:
World Geography (Standards of Learning Test for Verified Credit)
World History 1500 A.D. (C.E.) to Present (Standards of Learning Test for Verified Credit)
Virginia and United States History (Standards of Learning Test for Verified Credit)
Virginia and United States Government
Elective Courses:
African-American History
Criminal Justice
Debate
Psychology
Sociology
Advanced Placement European History
Advanced Placement Human Geography
Advanced Placement Psychology
Advanced Placement United States History
Advanced Placement United States Government
Advanced Placement World History
Graduation Requirements
World Geography, World History 1500 A.D. (C.E.) to Present,
Virginia and United States History, and Virginia and United States Government are required courses for both the 22-credit and the advanced 24-credit diplomas. The fourth history and social science credit may be substituted for one of the elective credits required.
Accomplishments
Spotsylvania County Schools has partnered in three Teaching American History Grants: Connections to the Past (2003-2007); People and Moments in Time (2005-2009), and Forging Democracy (2007-2011). These quasi-experimental, United States Department of Education Grants include creation of a cadre of American History Fellows, museum and historic site lectures, summer institutes, online forums for research and collaboration, ongoing assessment, primary resource training, field study and mentor programs. Project partners include the University of Mary Washington, Virginia Historical Society, Colonial Williamsburg, the National Park Service, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, and local museums and historic sites.
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