DOCUMENT RESUME ED 129 659 SO 009 427 AUTHOR Pecoraro, Andrew Adrian TITLE The Installation of a Modern Social Studies Program in Grades 4-6 in the West Islip Public Schools. PUB DATE Dec 75 NOTE 232p. EDRS PRICE MF-$0.83 HC-$12.71 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Curriculum Development; Educational Finance; *Educational Innovation; Educational Objectives; Elementary Education; Elementa.ry School Curriculum; Financial Policy; Models; Performance Factors; Performance Tests; Program Administration; *Program Descriptions; *Program Development; Prog7am Planning; *Social Studies; Social Studies Units; Success Factors; Teacher Participation ABSTRACT An eclectic social studies model for grades 4-6 is described in this practicum. The report of this project, whichwas developed for the West Islip, New York, public schools and implemented there in 1975, is presented in six chapters: (1) "Analysis of the Problem" identifies weaknesses of the existing social studies program and assesses curriculum needs; (2) "Strategy" delineates the components of a modern program based on the philosopLy of social studies education of the West Islip Board of Education; (3) "Selection of Pilot Programs" describes the process of choosing the seven social studies projects which were field-tested in 23 elementary classes; (4) "Installation of Pilot Programs" discusses prerequisite conditions and provision for transitional support and presents a description of pilot-program children and teachers; (5) "Evaluation of Pilot Programs" lists performance objectives developed by the National Council for the Social Studies and adopted by the West Islip Steering Committee; and (6)"Development.and Installation of the Model" presents a summary of the model and discusses its implementation. Extensive documentation in the form of tables, appendices, and a bibliography is included in the document. (Author/DB) *********************************************************************** Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublished * materials not available from cther sources. ERIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal * * reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available - * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS) . EDRS is not - * responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original. *********************************************************************** &ER_ 1975_ U.S. DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HASSEEN R EPRO OUCEO EXACTLY AS RECEIVED THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION FROM VIE INSTALLATION OF A MODERN SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAM ORIGIN &TING IT. POINTS OF VIEW STATED 00 NOT NECESSARILYOR OPINIONS SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL REPRE INSTITUTE OF IN GRADES 4 - 6 IN THE WEST ISLIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION POSI TION ORPOLICY by Andrew Adrian Pecoraro Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Nova University New Rochelle Cluster Maxi II Practicum Dr. Robert R. Spillane, Coordinator December, 1975 2 ABSTRACT The purpose of this practicumwas to install a modern social studies program in Grades 4- 6 in the West Islip Public Schools in the fall of 1975. A district elementary Social Studies SteeringCommittee was organized. Goal and financial commitments to elementarysocial studies were obtained from the district. A West Islip Philosophy of Social Studies Educationwas developed. Performance Objectives for elementary social studies were adopted. .The district faculty was afforded opportunitiesfor input via the completion of several surveys. Articulation dt t1-1 schools was initiated. New social s'-udies programs were investigated bya variety of means, including research of the literature. Seven social studies projects were field-tested in 23 elementary classesdistributed in eight West Islip elementary schools. Evaluation of these programs resulted inthe development and installation of.an ecclectic social studies modelin the West Islip Public Schools. The model, based on performance objectives,reflects contemporary thought in elementary social studieseducation. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page, Acknowledgments List of Tables Abstract Introduction . vi Chapter I Analysir, of the Problem 1 II Strategy 13 III Selection of Pilot Programs ko IV Installation cf Pilot Programs 52 V Evaluation of Pilot Programs 63 VI Development and Installation of the Model 101 Bibliography 115 Appendices 118 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to many people for their assistance in developing strategies and materials for this Practicum. Specifically I owe thanks to: The members of the West Islip Social Studies Steering Committee for their consistent and conscientious efforts. Teachers who enthusiastically agreed to field test and evaluate new social studies programs. Dr. Daryl W. Pelletier, Superintendent of Schools,and Dr. Paul E. Kirdahy, Assistant Superintendent, West Islip Public Schools, for their support. A special debt of gratitude to William E. Bryan, . Murray Beyert, and Sam 0. Kaylin, and Nova University for providing professional contacts, support and direction. My wife Carol for her constant support and encouragement. Mrs. Carol Craig who typed the manuscript. 5 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Summary of Responses to Selected Items of Elementary and Secondary Teachers to "A Guide for the Review of a Program in Elementary Education" 2 2 Relationship Between Michigan Common Goals and New York State Goals 31 3 Profile of Pilot Test Components 61 4 The Combined Responses of Social Studies Performance Objectives Achieved by Non-Pilot Teachers 4o4, 405, 505, 506, and 606 69 5 The Combined Responses of Non-Pilot Teachers 404, 405, 505, 506, and 606 to NGSS Checklist for Evaluation of the Social Studies Program 71 6 Social Studies Performance Objectives Achieved Using the Our Working World Program 75 7 The Combined Responses of Our Working World Pilot Teachers 204 and 406 to the NCSS Checklist for Evaluating a Social Studies Program 78 The Extent to Which the Rationale and Objectives of Our Workint World Are Met According to Pilot Teachers 204 and 406 80 9 Social Studies Performance Objectives Achieved Using the Taba Program 81 10 The Gombined Responses of Taba Pilot Teachers 305 and 106 to the NCSS Checklist for Evaluating a Social Studies Program 84 11 The Extent to Which the Rationale and Objectives of Taba Are Met According to Pilot Teachers 305 and 106 . 86 12 The Combined Responses of Georgia Pilot Teachers 105 and 205 to the NCSS Checklist for Evaluating a Social Studies Program 88 6 iii LE,e. Table 13 The Results of Sequential Curriculum in Anthropology Test: Form 4 on Cognitive Achievement Administered to Pilot Cln:Is 105 90 14 The Extent To Which the Rationale and Objectives of the Georgia Project Are Met According to Pilot Teachers 105 and 205 91 15 The Response of "Family of Man" Pilot Teacher 206 to the NCSS Checklist for Evaluating a Social Studies Program 94 16 The Extent To Which the Rationale and Objectives of the Minnesota Project Are Met According to Pilot Teachers 206 and 102 95 17 .The Extent to Which the Rationale and Objectives Arc Met According to Pilot Teacher 806 96 18 The Response of "Dimensions of Personality" Pilot Teacher 306.to the NCSS Checklist for Evaluating a Social Studies Program 98 19 The Extent to Which the Rationale and Objectives of the Pflaum Program Are Met According to Pilot Teachers 101, 203, 404, 306 99 20 Summary of 38 West Islip :Teacher Reactions to the Social Studies Performance Objectives , 108 21 Summary of Respon:,es of 31 Teachers in 5 West Islip Elementary Schools to the Social Studies Handbook . 111 iv 7 IEnODUC,TION The overall objective of this practicumis to install a modern social stuclies program in Grades 4- 6 in the Uest Islip Public Schools (Long Island, New York)in the 1975-1976 school year. The original plan to installa K - 6 social studies program was discarded for the followingreasons. (1) Four official requests for teachersto serve on the Social Studies Steering and Study Committees resulted in two primaryteacher volunteers. (2) On the elementary staff of 270,one teacher in Grades K - 2 expressedan interest to field test a new social studiesprogram. (3) The overall condition of theeconomy and inflation placed financial constraintson purchases. (Appendix A) The specific objectives of the practicumare: to conduct a needs assessment of theexisting social studies program. to obtain a goal and financial commitmentfrom the West Islip Board of Education andadministration te a modern sociai studies nrogram, to obtain a commitment from theprofessional staff to the goals and objectives ofa modern social studies program. To examine new socid studiesthrough a variety ofmeans. vi 8 to field test social stucat,s programs in the West Islip elementary schools. to encourage K - 9 articulation in the West Islip PUblic Schools. to provide a vehicle for coordination of the elementary social studies program in West Islip. Rubin's model, "The Process of Innovation"1 is usedas the basic design of this practicum. I. Analysis identifying a weakness analyzing the causal factors comparing alternRtive correctives identifying potential mechanisms for implementing the change II. Strategy What kind of innovation ic to be installed? Who will engineer the installation? How may the receiving environment be prepared for its inception? III. Selection IV. Installation