The Project
We are the newest California History-Social Science Subject Matter Project, founded in the summer of 2018. As a community of teachers, scholars, and students, we are dedicated to supporting K-12 educators in their daily efforts to facilitate and challenge students in becoming literate, knowledgeable and engaged citizens.
Content, Inquiry, Literacy and Civics
High quality history and civics education is vital to building a more just society and preparing all students to be literate, knowledgeable, and engaged citizens.
In California, the new Framework for History-Social Science outlines a focus on integrating more student inquiry into California’s K-12 classrooms. Calling for instructional shifts that embed deep learning of content, disciplinary literacy, and civics, the Framework offers an opportunity to restructure and revision teaching practice, curricula, and assessment.
As the newest regional site for the California History-Social Science Project [CHSSP], The History & Civics Project at UC Santa Cruz provides programs, support, resources, and technical assistance to educators, schools, and districts to support these shifts. Ultimately, we aim to support the region’s educators, schools, and districts in offering engaging, challenging, and significant history and civics curriculum and instruction for all of their students.
The California History-Social Science Project [CHSSP] is one of nine discipline-based statewide subject-matter projects that support on-going high-quality professional support for California’s teachers. The subject matter projects build and support sustainable teacher learning communities.
At the core of the CHSSP’s work are the vital subjects of history, civics, and the social sciences. This statewide network of scholars and K-12 teachers is dedicated to providing the highest quality history instruction, with a special focus on meeting the needs of English learners and emergent bilinguals, native speakers with low literacy, and students from economically disadvantaged communities.
- Contact us for information or to schedule initial conversations and professional development programs.
More Information
Led by Director Daisy Martin, Ph.D. and Professor George Bunch, the Project offers expertise and assistance that integrates multiple areas, including the teaching of English learners, disciplinary literacy and inquiry, meaningful assessment practices, and effective professional development and support. We connect educational practices with up-to-date scholarship through our partnerships with practicing teachers, history Professor Matt O’Hara, and the UC Santa Cruz History and Education departments.