Why Is Social Studies Important? How Do We Reclaim Its Place in the Classroom?

In recent years, especially since the academic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, a vital subject that once held a central place in classrooms across the country has been sidelined to make more room for state-tested disciplines such as math and literacy — and that subject is social studies.

It’s important to remember, however, that state assessments across the nation measure a variety of important skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, which are all fostered through social studies instruction. Without giving students consistent opportunities to practice and develop these competencies, their performance on these assessments could be compromised.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how social studies is vital to a well-rounded education and how it equips students with transformative life skills that enable them to engage with the world as informed citizens.

Addressing the Need for Social Studies

There has been a steady decline in social studies instruction over the years, which some hae linked to the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, which required states to test students each year in reading and math, starting in third grade. A decade after it was passed, a survey by the National Center for Educational Statistics showed that total instructional time in the subject decreased by 30 minutes per week.

More recently, a 2023 report from the RAND Corporation showed that only half of elementary principals across the nation reported that their schools had adopted a published curriculum for social studies in grades K-5. They also reported less professional development focused on the subject. And while middle and high school students are more likely to take a class with some focus on history, government, or civics, they may struggle in those subjects if they don’t receive an adequate foundation in the elementary grades.

This decline of humanities-based instruction and resources in schools may have a direct correlation to the decline in test scores. Between 2018 and 2022, average scores on the NAEP U.S. history assessment dropped by 5 points, continuing a decline that began in 2014. And according to results from the 2022 NAEP, known as the Nation’s Report Card, only 13 percent of eighth-graders scored at or above the Proficient level and 40 percent fell below Basic. In civics, just 22 percent of students reached Proficient and 31 percent scored below Basic.

These statistics underscore the urgent need to prioritize social studies as being core to a student's holistic education. If all the focus is directed toward skills-building in reading and math, without also building background knowledge, students will fall behind in understanding the world around them and the ways in which they can impact a global society.

The consequences of sidelining this important subject are not just academic; they’re social and emotional. Students learn empathy, problem-solving, and effective communication through social studies. These are the very traits that empower students to act as responsible citizens in a complex society.

What Do You Learn in Social Studies? More Than Just History

When making the case for why social studies should remain a priority for schools, along with other core disciplines, including literacy and math, it’s important to understand that this is a subject that extends far beyond simply memorizing historical dates and events.

Social studies encompasses four key domains: civics and government, history, geography, and economics. These interconnected areas equip students with essential skills to navigate the world around them.

For example, in a world where we are surrounded by a constant flow of information, civics instruction shows students how to critically evaluate media messages. Similarly, economics lessons help students to make informed financial decisions by understanding concepts like inflation or learning to analyze opportunity costs as well as how money and finances impact both their daily lives, the government, and beyond.

Civics and government teachings provide students with skills to become actively involved in their communities, while history allows students to dig into the past to better understand the present and future. And geography lessons help students deeply understand the world around them and how places influence people and cultures.

Instruction within these domains encourages inquiry and gives students ample opportunities to ask meaningful questions, evaluate sources, and take informed action. The skills students can learn in these domains transcend the classroom, empowering students to engage with their communities and the broader world.

Preparing Students for the Real World

Social studies uniquely touches students’ everyday lives and prepares them for real-world challenges. Whether debating policy issues or presenting evidence-based arguments, students hone cultural literacy, communications, and other skills that extend beyond the classroom.

For younger students, humanities-based lessons build foundational skills focusing on understanding one’s place in the world — beginning with family and community and gradually expanding to include state and national history.

By middle and high school, students are tackling more complex content, analyzing historical events, and drawing connections to contemporary issues. For example, students learning about the Civil Rights Movement, in particular when people fought to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that ensured protections against discriminatory practices like literacy tests, can draw connections to current debates over voter ID laws and mail-in voting access.

This scaffolding approach ensures that students develop a strong sense of identity and purpose, building schema for interacting as humans.

What Does High-Quality Social Studies Look Like in the Classroom?

A robust social studies curriculum doesn’t merely teach facts and dates; it transforms students into inquisitive, informed individuals. High-quality social studies instruction often follows the C3 Framework, which stands for College, Career, and Civic Life. This framework is a guide for enhancing social studies education and helps curate a classroom environment infused with inquiry. The framework is structured around the Inquiry Arc, which includes the following four key dimensions:

• Developing questions and planning inquiries
• Applying disciplinary tools and concepts
• Evaluating sources and using evidence
• Communicating conclusions and taking informed action

The most effective social studies instruction integrates “little i” inquiry (daily questioning and interaction) with “Big I” inquiry (addressing overarching, transferable questions). For example, a unit on historical events might begin with a broad question, such as, “What causes societal change?” Students then explore this question through case studies, discussions, and projects, ultimately connecting historical lessons to current events.

Effective, high-quality social studies instruction shouldn’t just be about memorizing facts and dates. It should incorporate research-based frameworks that build life skills alongside content knowledge.

Making the Case for Social Studies

The value of social studies extends far beyond the classroom. It’s about preparing students for life.

It’s through social studies instruction that students build vocabulary and background knowledge to help them comprehend the texts they read and allow them to access rich content. It’s where students practice skills that help them solve math problems and analyze science experiments. Social studies provides students with the skills necessary to make sense of information they see outside of the classroom, whether it be on the news or in social media, and it provides students with the schema and context to make informed decisions as they navigate the world around them.

Social studies isn’t just about understanding the past, it’s about building a better future. By teaching students to think critically, engage empathetically, and act responsibly, social studies equips them with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.