Thomas Jefferson, among others, believed that the health of a democracy depends upon the education and participation of its citizenry.
Education in social studies requires a clear understanding and exploration of its interrelated disciplines. That is, without a knowledge of the geography and economics of earlier times, history offers only lists of people, events, and dates. Without a knowledge of history , the institutions of American government and the dynamics of today’s global economy are difficult to understand.
Democracy in the United States is constantly evolving and in continuous need of citizens who can adapt its enduring traditions and values to meet changing circumstances within today’s world.
In social studies, students develop a core of basic knowledge and ways of thinking drawn from many academic disciplines. They learn how to analyze their own and others’ opinions on important issues, and become motivated to participate in civic and community life as active, informed citizens.
Ultimately, students study the past within the context of the present to prepare for the future.