High School Social Studies

Vision

“A graduate of Portland Public Schools will be a compassionate critical thinker, able to collaborate and solve problems, and be prepared to lead a more socially just world” (Portland Public Schools Information / Vision, n.d.).

Mission

Portland Public Schools’ social studies education provides students with the knowledge and skills to engage with a range of perspectives, empowering them to advocate as civic members of society.

Why is a social studies education important?

Broad and diverse, a social studies education offers students the opportunity to grapple with the historical, cultural, and societal dynamics necessary for informed and active citizenship. Portland Public Schools’ social studies classrooms explore the intricacies of the world while offering students opportunities to practice critical thinking skills through discussion, reading, and writing.

Curriculum adoption updates

The proposed Social Studies adoption timeline:

• 24-25 Steering Committee & Grounding
• 25-26 Field Testing
• 26-27 First Year of Implementation
• 27-29 Second and Third Year of Implementation

Resources for educators

Please note that the 23-24 resource is out of date, and the 24-25 resource will evolve as the year progresses. Thank you for your patience.

• 9-12 Social Sciences Resource Binder 24-25
• 2024 Oregon Social Studies Standards