Evaluation of the California Subject Matter Project: History-Social Science Project Case Study

Abstract

Despite pressures for quick one-size-fits-all fixes to providing teachers with professional development, the California History-Social Science Project (CHSSP) has maintained a focus on providing long-term, subject-specific professional development. The CHSSP has sought opportunities to partner with districts, schools, and teachers so as to help build teachers’ content knowledge, academic literacy skills, and professional communities. By doing so, the CHSSP strives to enable teachers to base their instruction on primary sources and historical analysis and argumentation. At the same time, districts across California have been seeking ways to help their teachers gain the skills necessary to deliver rich learning experiences that offer students opportunities to develop advanced skills through a variety of approaches to learning.


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