Caleb Perkins, Social Studies supervisor at OSPI, is working to implement the HB 2195 requirement that "by 2008-09 school districts shall have assessments or other strategies to ensure that students have the opportunity to meet the EALRs in social studies, the arts, and health/fitness." OSPI reported to the legislature in September, 2004, the recommendation that "other strategies" be defined as those that are "research-based, EALR-aligned, and rigorous." Caleb has been coordinating development and piloting of model Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs). See http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/. The current recommendation is for districts to include one of the state-developed social studies CBAs per year in their social studies "scope and sequence" from grades 3 through 12.

Teachers can use a History Day project to help students complete the "Dig Deep-Analyzing Sources" CBA. In fact, OSPI recommends using this program. The bridging document posted on the OSPI website specifically explains how students can use their History Day project to meet the requirements outlined in the rubric for this CBA. See http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/bridgingdocs.aspx.

Photo courtesy of Washington History Day 2007