Topeka Public Schools Course Change Proposal

Staff member(s) making request Thomas Fulbright This course change requests originates from X Curriculum & Assessment Team or Curriculum Leader: School: Other: Date October 30, 2012

Complete this section for Proposed Changes to Current Courses

Type of Change: Check the box that applies and then fill in the requested information Deactivate a course at the district level Deactivate a course at the school level Activate an existing course at the district level Activate an existing course at the school level X Start a new course at the district level Start a new course at the school level Changes to an existing course Course number Course name School n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Historical Inquiry

Course Change: Check the boxes that apply and then complete the requested information. n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Change in course number (if applicable for CTE courses) from Change in course name from Change in course length from Change in grade levels from Change in credits from to to to to . Rationale: . Rationale: . Rationale: . Rationale: to . Rationale: to . Rationale:

Change in graduation requirements from Change in course weight from to

. Rationale: and course number to course name and

Change in prerequisites from course name course number . Rationale:

n/a

Change in course description: Include new description here. Rationale:

Describe any additional resources this change would require. n/a Additional Information: n/a

Complete this section for Proposed New Courses

Course number (if applicable for CTE courses) Course name Historical Inquiry Course length: one semester X Grade levels: Credits: .5 X 9th 1.0 10th two semesters 11th X 12thX

Graduation requirements this course would meet: Social Studies Elective Can the course be taken more than once? Is the course weighted? Yes No X Yes No X

Course prerequisites: Course name and number None Rationale: While this course should not interfere with the students regular progression through their social studies program, since its goal is to improve a students social studies strand skills it could only benefit them in the other social studies classes they take. Does this course meet a Kansas Board of Regents requirement? Yes X No If yes, which requirement? Social Studies Elective 04261 Social Science Research Course description: History Inquiry will be focused on developing key skills within the TPS Social Studies Philosophy Statement striving to help young people develop critical thinking skills to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. It will also improve the students development of all the Social Studies Process Skills in Strand 1, for example recognizing and evaluating historical perspective, using primary and secondary source documents, inquiry, analysis and research skills. Furthermore it will help students develop important skills within the Common Core Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, for example: Reading Standard for Grades 11-12 standard 1. Cite Specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole. Writing Standard for Grades 11-12 standard 1(a): Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternated of opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. The Program of Studies description would read This course allows students to practice the skills required of and used by historians in their line of work. Students will (1) learn important methods of research; (2) develop domain specific reading skills and writing skills; (3) complete an assigned research project; (4) create their own cumulative research project; (5) apply and develop their historical inquiry skills while working on their project. Topics for the inquiry project could include comparing revolutions across time and place, terrorism, or the influence of social media in politics.

Projected number of sections 1 Will this course require adopting new instructional resources? Yes X No

Revised: 1/14/14

Explanation: Resources for this class are available online, especially sites including primary documents such as Fordham Universitys Internet History Sourcebooks Project, or method sites such as the Stanford History Education Groups sites. Proposed timeline for implementation: Fall 2013 Projected number of students impacted: 25 Brief Description of Major Course Change Proposal N/A Rationale for Major Course Change Proposal (including how this change fits into the existing curriculum and how it will better address students learning needs): N/A

NOTE: Attach a set of course/grade level curriculum standard. The curriculum standard would be the TPS 6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Framework Process Skills Strand 1. Instructional Approach: What major methodologies (e.g., lecture, discussion, inquiry, lab work, independent study) will be used to teach this course? This course will use instructional approaches including lectures, discussions, historical inquiry and Socratic seminars.

Estimated Implementation Cost (including whether this change will result in an overall savings or expense, and the additional costs of maintaining this change on an annual basis): $ 0 Teacher professional development $0 $0 Additional teaching staff (specify) Additional instructional resources, technology, equipment, and/or classroom space (specify)

Current Status (Check all statements that describe current readiness level)
x x x n/a x x x This change is consistent with educational research reflecting best teaching and learning practices. Sufficient certified staff currently exist who are willing and able to successfully make this change. A draft set of course/grade level curriculum standards had been developed. A set of new instructional resources have been, or will be, requested for adoption. The existing school schedule can accommodate this change. Sufficient technologies, equipment, and facilities are available. This change is ready to be implemented.

Revised: 1/14/14

Approval Process ________________________________________________ Recommendation by Curriculum Area Leader ________________________________________________ Recommendation by Principal of originating school
(when applicable)

__________ Date __________ Date __________ Date

Approve

Not Approve

Approve

Not Approve

________________________________________________ Recommendation by Teaching & Learning Services

Approve

Not Approve

Revised: 1/14/14