The survey of social studies and geography instruction in Texas elementary schools

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the amount of time devoted to teaching social studies and geography in Texas elementary schools and the main impediments to social studies and geography instruction in Texas elementary schools. I conducted a survey, using phone interviews and mailed returns, on a random sample of elementary teachers from throughout the state of Texas. I found that the typical teacher spends less than 20 minutes per day teaching social studies. Teachers feel that time is the biggest impediment to teaching social studies and geography. The most stated reason for a lack of time is an emphasis placed on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test. I also found that elementary teachers were not likely to have taken methods courses in social studies and geography in their preservice training, and were not likely to have recently attended inservice training in social studies and geography. Most elementary teachers in Texas do not perceive that social studies and geography are a high priority in their school, in their school district, or among parents and the community in which they teach.