Alexandria City Public Schools

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History and Social Science Overview

The history and social science curriculum of the Alexandria City Public Schools follows the Virginia Standards of Learning. Each course, from kindergarten through grade 12 is taught through four basic strands, history, geography, civics, and economics. The state requires testing in history and social studies at grades 3, 4, and in the middle school at grades 6 (United States History to 1877), grade 7 (United States History 1877 to the present) and grade 8 (Civics and Economics). At the high school level there are End of Course (EOC) tests for verified credit in World History, to 1500, World History, 1500 to the Present, and Virginia and United States History.

Each grade level has a curriculum pacing guide which helps teachers organize their lessons. In addition, the K-5 curriculum has curriculum summary sheets which are posted online and are handed out to all students at the beginning of the school year. The curriculum summary sheets provide parents with an opportunity to see the terms, people and events that each child at each grade level should know.

Honors classes which are taught at the 9th and 10th grade levels (World History Part 1 and World History Part 2) must teach the basic content since all students are tested by the state. However, honors courses take the basic curriculum and expand the material for the students. The teaching techniques and the activities are designed to emphasize the higher level thinking skills where students are asked to evaluate, interpret, and analyze. Students will be expected to read independently from supplemental readings and from primary source documents. Students will be able to research data and make predictions. Honor students will be expected to make connections between the past and today's more complex society.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are currently taught at the high school level. In history and social science, Alexandria City Public Schools offer AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, and AP Psychology. AP curriculum is set by the College Board and all students who take the AP courses will take the AP exam.

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