Social Studies

In September 2019, the state adopted new K-12 Washington State Learning Standards for Social Studies. In the 2019-2020 school year, the Curriculum and Instruction Department will begin the process of prioritizing these new state standards for K-12 Social Studies with a team of educators. As a part of this process, the current secondary adopted curriculum, Pearson K-12 Education, will be evaluated to determine if it aligns with the new standards, and whether an official adoption is needed for all grade levels.  

In addition to K-12 social studies curriculum, in 2015, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5433 requiring the inclusion of tribal sovereignty curriculum be taught in all schools. The resulting curriculum is called Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State.  The use of the curriculum has been endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes and is an open educational resource – free to use at no cost.