Teachers' Civics Instructional Materials: Civic Development in the Era of Truth Decay

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kaufman, Julia H.

Contributor:

Hamilton, Laura S.

Hu, Lynn

Language:

English

Other Title:

Teachers' Civics Instructional Materials

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. RAND Corporation 2020

Summary:

Public schools that serve kindergarteners through 12th graders can play a key role in combating Truth Decay by supporting students' civic development and engagement. Teachers' instructional materials provide one window into civic education in schools. Research in mathematics and English language arts (ELA) for students in kindergarten through 12th grade suggests that teachers use and modify instructional materials in diverse ways and they often create their own materials. Researchers have also documented how teachers' use of instructional materials in mathematics and ELA is connected to the instructional practices in which teachers report engaging their students, and multiple studies have connected the use of particular math and ELA curricula with increases in student achievement. However, little is known about the use of educational content for such subjects as social studies—particularly regarding the content that teachers rely on to provide instruction in civics-related topics, which has implications for students' civic development. As part of RAND's Truth Decay initiative, this Data Note unpacks ways in which social studies teachers across the United States reported using instructional materials in their classrooms to teach civics. These data are intended to inform policymakers, researchers, and educators on potential ways to support civics teaching and learning.