Thematic Focus
The ESPA social studies assessment for grades K-4 focuses
on major themes. The following key concepts have been
identified as central to the ESPA social studies test
content specifications:
. Conflict and Cooperation (war, political groups,
gender, and prejudice)
. Movement and Social Change (migration, immigration,
population, agriculture, and urbanization)
. Democracy and Government (civics and economic
decisions/policy)
. Culture (humanities, family, and community)
. Economic and Technological Change (communication,
transportation, invention, and the industrial age)
Where possible, themes should be assessed across
time periods, with the contemporary world used
as a reference. Emphasis should be put on:
. people (biographies),
. key events or turning points, and
. the stories of history
which capture the imagination and interest of elementary
school students.
Note: Examples included throughout this document
(in the knowledge/skills specifications and as sample
test questions) are illustrative and should not
be considered exhaustive.
Content related to and/or illustrative of the identified
themes should be drawn from the following time periods
(as delineated in the Content Standards 6.3-6.6):
WORLD HISTORY
. The Age of Global Encounters --> 1700
. The Modern World
AMERICAN HISTORY (with infusion of New Jersey content)
. The Colonial Period --> 1763
. The Revolution & Early National Period
--> 1820
. The Age of Civil War and Reconstruction --> 1870
. Industrial America and Era of World Wars --> 1945
. The Modern Age
The ESPA social studies committee feels strongly that
for the assessment of elementary school students:
. Short-lived memorization and recall of dates and
details of time should be minimized.
. Where possible, time periods should not be treated
in isolation but rather used to compare and contrast
with present-day life and issues, and/or to serve in
illustrating the major themes. |
