rockala Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I finally checked online for MA and found out I need three credits of Social Science. I am not sure what would quialfy for this. can someone help me out? Possibly goverment and civics? And get this only three science and three math are required. Now we plan to do 4 years each of English, Science and Math. No wonder why american schools do so poorly. My dd is ninth I better figure this out! Kath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I finally checked online for MA and found out I need three credits of Social Science. I am not sure what would quialfy for this. can someone help me out? Possibly goverment and civics? And get this only three science and three math are required. Now we plan to do 4 years each of English, Science and Math. No wonder why american schools do so poorly. My dd is ninth I better figure this out! Kath If your child is planning on attending college, you might double check the requirements. Many colleges require more than states require to graduate. American history, world history, economics, geography, government, civics, non-western culture-any of those would fulfill a social studies requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I just did a google search on "high school social studies requirements for Massachussetts" and came up with this 2003 document from MA board of education: http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/hss/final.pdf Page 8 is where you get to the meat of what specifically is required and the overview of what is expected to be covered: HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES: 1 credit (year) = World History I 1 credit (year) = World History II 1 credit (year) = American History HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES: 0.5 credit (semester) = Government 0.5 credit (semester) = Economics This webpage http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html of the MA Board of Education has the overall list of requirements, and when you click on the Adobe Acrobat file on the right of the chart for each requirement, it takes you to the multi-page document like the one I linked at the top of this post. Also, you REALLY want to look at either your state colleges or universities, or institutions you think your DC may attend and see what their incoming credit requirements (admission standards) are, as they are often MORE stringent than the state high school graduation requirements. Here are the MA state university requirements (see page 3 of this document): http://www.mass.edu/shared/documents/admissions/admissionsstandards.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyce Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 just because a state board of education says this is what is required to graduate doesn't mean homeschoolers are held to those. You're not unless it's specifically mentioned in your homeschool laws. You can use the board of education recommendations as a guide but you really need to check with some of the colleges your dd might attend. That will give you a better idea of how to map out your high school years. Different colleges require different things. So definitely check some out now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 If your child is planning on attending college, you might double check the requirements. Many colleges require more than states require to graduate. American history, world history, economics, geography, government, civics, non-western culture-any of those would fulfill a social studies requirement. I don't know of many colleges that require more than 3 units of history for acceptance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I don't know of many colleges that require more than 3 units of history for acceptance? I was referring to this bit of her post: And get this only three science and three math are required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I live in Mass. I think I would have to argue very hard with my school board if I wanted to do less than 4 years of math. I think if I had a child who was demonstrably bad at math and highly, highly unlikely to go into STEM, they might let me get away with 3 years of science. Might. And if I had a child who was obviously STEM oriented, they would probably let me get away with 2 years of foreign language. I wouldn't worry about the MA requirements. Instead, I would look at college requirements and your own town's own requirements. The school board is more likely to approve your plan if you at least meet your local high school's requirements. Most students in my town exceed the state requirements. -Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Starting w/the Class of 2011, our state U. system will require the following: 4 units of English, at least three with substantial writing requirements 4 units of mathematics at the Algebra I level and higher 3 units of natural science, at least two with laboratory 3 units of social science 2 sequential units of the same foreign language 2 elective units, preferably from the English, mathematics, natural science, social science, or foreign language areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Social Studies are fields of human studies -- the other-than-hard-sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.). The most typical topics covered in high school Social Studies are: - American history - World history - Geography - Civics (Government) - Economics But other very acceptable -- and common! -- high school Social Studies topics include: - Philosophy - Comparative Religions - Political Science Also, check out the list of curriculum standards in Social Studies for the 4 high school grades at World Book online for more specific ideas of what is covered in high school social studies: Grade 9 = http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study_grade_9_curriculum_guide.html Grade 10 = http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study_grade_10_curriculum_guide.html Grade 11 = http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study_grade_11_curriculum_guide.html Grade 12 = http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study_grade_12_curriculum_guide.html And finally, here is the list of K-12 Social Studies topics from Awesome Library website: http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/Social_Studies/Social_Studies.html Ancient Civilizations Anthropology Archaeology Biographies Catastrophic Climate Change Conservation Countries and Regions Current Events Current Events Archives Economics General Social Studies Geography Government Helping Others History Holidays Integrated Curriculum Lesson Plans Military Conflicts and Wars Multicultural Multidisciplinary News Politics Religions Social Networking Social Sciences Degrees Standards Terrorism Violence and Crime World Peace Young Leaders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockala Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 Thank you Lori for sending that info along. I will keep that handy to refer to. Thanks to all for helping me out on this. I think I have it figured out and then I start panicking again. I am beginning to stress out my dd. :tongue_smilie: I was wondering about fitting in all those electives, but I guess it can play out that something that is core to me can end up listed as a social science or elective. I had not written it all out, but maybe like this; is this riight -enough? Depending on what is needed fine arts could possibly be listed as an elective. Grade 9 math; Alg 1 Science; biology English; English 2 Social Science; Amer History Elective; latin Fine Arts total= 6 credits Grade 10 Math; Alg 11 Science; Chemistry English; Jouney thru narnia Social Science; Govmnt/Economics Elective; Piano Forgn lang. Hebrew Total= 6 credits Grade 11 math; Geometry Science; Anatomy and Physiology English; ADV Comp Social Science; World History For Lang; Hebrew Elective- Health total= 6 credits Grade 12 Math; Precalc/trig Science; Physics English; Open Lit Survey maybe Social Science; World history II For Lang; Hebrew Elective; Open for her interest then total 6 credits So this is a total of 24 credits. Is that enough for most colleges? I know it is enough for most high schools. Some of these items could be listed as electives as well. Additonally dd is a competitive swimmer, active in 4h as well as equine eventing and possible a youth interact (rotary club next year). that would cover outside extra curricualr activities. I am so glad I finally took the time to grab a sheet of paper and write it all out. A good thing to do. It is overwhelming when you just have it all floating in your head. I think some though graduate with 28 credits- but I am thinking that is not required by most colleges but of course looks good. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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