Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.15 - General Social Studies (Grades 6-12)

1. Rationale. This Rule highlights those elements distinctive to the General Social Studies program. These standards build upon the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, ISTE Standards, and Alabama Specific Standards. The standards are consistent with the Praxis Social Studies: Content Knowledge Assessment, and the current Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies. Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. Program Curriculum. In addition to meeting Rules 290-3-3-.03, 290-3-3-.04, 290-3-3-.05, and 290-3-3-.11, the curriculum shall require coursework, key assessments, and field experiences in the following areas:

a. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in General Social Studies (United States history, world history, government, civics, and political science, geography, economics, and behavioral sciences).

b. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop an ability to plan, implement, assess, and reflect upon research-based instruction to increase student motivation and enhance active learning of Social Studies for all learners.

c. Unique Field Experiences, Practica, and Internship Placement Requirements.

i. Field experiences shall include placements in both middle grades and high school social studies classrooms.

ii. To the extent possible, field experiences should allow candidates the opportunity to practice in economics, geography, history, political science/civics, and the social/behavioral sciences.

iii. Although not required, the practicum experience can be at either the middle grades level or high school level. Experiences should deepen candidate understanding and ability in social studies.

iv. Internship shall be split between middle grades and high school grades unless a practicum experience and/or at least three field experiences have been completed at the other level.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.15

New Rule: Filed December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2015, eff. 9/17/2015. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 12, September 28, 2018, eff. 10/28/2018; operative 6/1/2019. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2021, eff. 10/15/2021. Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLIII, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2025, eff. 5/15/2025.

Previous Rule.23 was renumbered.15 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey.

Statutory Authority: Ala. Code §§ 16-3-16 and 16-23-14 (1975).