Michigan Department of Education is Accepting Public Comment on Revised Social Studies Standards

April 12, 2019

LANSING – Public comment is being accepted on the latest draft of state social studies standards, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today.

The period of public comment spans from April 10 through May 9. Opportunities for comment exist through an online survey and at nine in-person Listen and Learn sessions across the state, listed below.

“As we did last year, we are asking for public input on this latest version of the proposed Social Studies Standards for Michigan schools,” said Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles. “Public comments will help Michigan’s social studies experts finalize the standards that will go before the State Board of Education for consideration in June.”

Over eight years ago, Michigan joined 27 other states to create the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies.  For the past five years, Michigan’s social studies community has updated and reviewed the Michigan Social Studies Standards through the lens of this C3 Framework.

Update committees for grades K-8 and 9-12 consisting of representatives from the Michigan Council for Civil Education, Michigan Council for Economic Education, Michigan Geographic Alliance, the Michigan Council for History Education, and the Michigan Council for the Social Studies, reviewed and edited Michigan’s social studies standards. 

The original writers have been joined by teachers, administrators, college professors, community members, parents and students to update the standards with an eye toward assuring that the standards are fewer, clearer, and higher.  Diverse points of view and representation have been a part of the current draft standards.

These efforts have been shared with the State Board of Education and are now ready for a period of public comment and review. To review the proposed Social Studies Standards and for more information, go to www.michigan.gov/mde.

Upcoming Listen & Learn Meetings

Detroit                                          April 24                           6:00-8:00pm            

Detroit Historical Museum

5401 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI 48202

Saginaw                                       April 25                            6:00-8:00pm            

ISD Transition PD Center

3860 Fashion Square Blvd.

Saginaw, MI 48603

Oakland                                       April 29                            6:00-8:00 pm

Oakland Schools

2111 Pontiac Lake Road

Waterford, MI 48328

Kalamazoo                                  April 30                            6:00-8:00pm           

Kalamazoo Central High School

2432 N. Drake Road

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Lansing                                        May 2                               6:00-8:00pm            

Michigan Historical Center and Library

702 W. Kalamazoo Street

Lansing, MI 48915

Grand Rapids                               May 6                               6:00-8:00pm            

Kent Intermediate School District

2930 Knapp Road

Grand Rapids, MI 49525 

Gaylord                                        May 7                               6:00-8:00pm            

University Center Gaylord

80 Livingston Blvd.

Gaylord, MI 49735

Sault Ste. Marie                          May 8                               6:00-8:00pm            

Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District

315 Armory Place

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783                                                           

Escanaba                                     May 9                               6:00-8:00pm            

Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District

2525 3^rd Avenue S.

Escanaba, MI 49829