A Study Of Curriculum Standard Of History-social Science In Massachusetts,the USA

In 2001,after the eighth round of curriculum reform in China,some regions introduced a comprehensive course "History and Society" and issued corresponding curriculum standards.However,in general,China’s integrated curriculum "history and society" has little successful experience and the curriculum standards are not perfect,so it is meaningful to borrow foreign experience as "other stones".Massachusetts is known as the "Education State" of the United States,and its "History and Society" curriculum is based on history,geography,civics,economics and other disciplines,to develop students’ knowledge and skills in solving social problems and training qualified American citizens.The study of this state’s History and Society Curriculum Standards can serve as a reference for the development of history and society curriculum and the improvement of curriculum standards in China.Using historical research,textual analysis,and comparative research,this study analyzes the background,vision and philosophy,structure and content,and characteristics of the Massachusetts History and Society Curriculum Standards,and suggests implications for promoting the development of a history and society curriculum and improving the curriculum standards in China.The study found that the history and society curriculum in the United States originated from the resolution of social conflicts,and the development of history showed a process of "problem orientation-knowledge and skills orientation-standardization".The vision of the History and Society Curriculum Standards is to cultivate qualified citizens and follow the concept of improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning;the structure of the curriculum standards includes four parts: vision,guiding principles,body of standards,and appendices;the content of the curriculum standards includes three major parts: practice standards,content standards,and literacy standards.The curriculum standards have the following characteristics: in principle,the foundation design reflects openness;in organization,the hierarchical structure highlights scientificity;in content,the crossover of disciplines presents comprehensiveness;in resources,richness and diversity highlight operability.The comprehensive study and analysis have led to the following inspirations for the development of social studies in China: the curriculum should be reformed to play a nurturing function,with emphasis on history education at the primary level and disciplinary integration at the secondary level;the theoretical foundation should be strengthened,highlighting professional attributes and promoting the scientific development of curriculum standards;the openness and inclusiveness of curriculum standards should be enhanced with a problem-oriented approach;and the resource channels should be expanded to promote the diversification of curriculum resources.