Teacher and Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions of Social Studies Content Standards

Abstract

In this mixed-methods study, I investigated how teachers and pre-service teachers perceive social studies content standards. My study focused on three main areas: (a) classroom implementation of content standards, (b) educators' familiarity with standards, and (c) curricular support for implementation of the standards. I selected participants based on their status as a (a) Texas social studies teacher who is a member of a social studies database maintained by Texas regional education service centers or (b) pre-service teacher enrolled in a graduate-level social studies methods course. Additionally, a purposeful selection of participants took part in an authentic museum trunk training allowing me to observe and evaluate their abilities to apply social studies standards to curriculum planning. I invited these participants to participate in an online focus group following the training. I offer a descriptive picture of social studies teachers' perceptions of state standards, as well as illuminate potential differences between pre-service and in-service social studies teachers preparedness to implement the new state and established national standards.