{"id":16663,"date":"2025-04-11T11:22:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T15:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=16663"},"modified":"2025-08-21T10:06:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:06:02","slug":"virginia-social-studies-sol-25-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/virginia-social-studies-sol-25-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia\u2019s K-12 History and Social Science Update: What Educators Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nBig news for Virginia educators: <\/span>The Virginia Department of Education<\/span><\/a> has officially adopted the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL), replacing the 2015 version. This comprehensive update impacts grades K through 12 and aims to deepen student understanding, sharpen inquiry skills, and better connect instruction across grade levels. If you’re teaching social studies in Virginia, here’s everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue reading below to see sample questions aligned to these new standards directly from the Progress Learning platform<\/b><\/p>\n

Why the Standards Changed<\/b><\/h2>\n

The new standards reflect years of feedback from educators, community members, historians, and education experts. This revision wasn\u2019t just about rearranging content\u2014it was about ensuring that students graduate with a stronger grasp of key historical events, civic processes, and economic principles, all while improving their critical thinking, analysis, and research skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2023 update emphasizes:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Vertical alignment<\/b> from elementary through high school<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Inquiry-based learning<\/b> with greater use of supporting questions<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Integrated skill development<\/b> in analysis, sourcing, interpretation, and civic decision-making<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Real-world application<\/b> through the 3E Readiness Framework (Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Why These Changes Matter<\/b><\/h2>\n

    At the heart of these changes is a commitment to excellence, rigor, and civic readiness. The new standards are built to prepare students not just to succeed on assessments, but to think critically, engage thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to society.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The updated standards reaffirm core civic values:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Individual liberty and representative government<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Free enterprise and rule of law<\/span><\/li>\n
    • The balance between America\u2019s exceptionalism and its imperfections<\/span><\/li>\n
    • The vital importance of informed, civil participation<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      They also bring a broader global and historical context, acknowledging both major achievements and difficult truths\u2014from democratic revolutions to the horrors of slavery, totalitarianism, and genocide.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Key Features of the 2023 Standards<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Expanded and Refined Skills Development<\/b>
      \n<\/b>Every grade level begins with a clearly defined \u201cSkills\u201d section. These are no longer standalone expectations\u2014they\u2019re embedded into daily instruction. Students are expected to:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Analyze primary and secondary sources<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Synthesize evidence<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Construct arguments based on research<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Apply geographic, economic, and civic reasoning<\/span>
        \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Deeper Content and Contextual Understanding<\/b>
        \n<\/b>The standards bring in more inclusive and relevant content. For example:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Grade 5<\/b>: Highlights West African cultures, Indigenous histories, and the complexities of early America.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Grade 6<\/b>: Explores Reconstruction, civil rights, and industrialization through a broader lens.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Civics and Economics (Middle School)<\/b>: Expands on the Constitution, civic duties, and economic decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Government (High School)<\/b>: Prioritizes foundational U.S. documents, democratic philosophy, and civic engagement.<\/span>
          \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Reorganized for Clarity and Coherence<\/b>
          \n<\/b>Scattered and redundant sub-standards have been streamlined. The standards now follow a more logical, vertically aligned structure, making it easier for educators to build on prior knowledge and track progression across grade levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

          The 3E Readiness Framework<\/b>
          \n<\/b>Every instructional guide integrates the 3E Readiness Framework\u2014connecting learning to real-world outcomes in Enrollment (college), Enlistment (military), or Employment. It\u2019s a direct link between social studies and students\u2019 future opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

          What\u2019s New\u2014Grade by Grade<\/b><\/h2>\n

          Kindergarten<\/b><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • New Skill Sets<\/b>: Students now engage in economic reasoning and analyze a variety of sources (K.1).<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Community & Culture<\/b>: Greater emphasis on early communities, changemakers, and local geography.<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Civic Behavior<\/b>: Citizenship skills now explicitly include responsibility, kindness, and classroom decision-making.<\/span>\n

            <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Grade 1<\/b><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • State Symbols & Holidays<\/b>: Broader treatment of Virginia traditions and civic symbols (1.2, 1.3).<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Mapping & Geography<\/b>: More emphasis on maps, cardinal directions, and geographic impact (1.6\u20131.7).<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Changemakers<\/b>: A stronger focus on historically significant Virginians including barrier breakers (1.5).<\/span>\n

              <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Grade 2<\/b><\/h3>\n
                \n
              • Indigenous Studies<\/b>: Expanded treatment of tribal sovereignty and geographic context (2.5).<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Innovators & Reformers<\/b>: Students study a wider range of influential Americans (2.10).<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Civic Responsibilities<\/b>: New standards link citizenship to democratic ideals and freedom (2.1).<\/span>\n

                <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Grade 3<\/b><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • Geography & Culture<\/b>: Students apply geography to analyze historical societies (3.2\u20133.3).<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Civics<\/b>: Expanded expectations around rights, responsibilities, and digital citizenship (3.1).<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Global History Foundations<\/b>: Ancient civilizations now analyzed through political, economic, and social lenses (3.4\u20133.9).<\/span>\n

                  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Grade 4 \u2013 Virginia Studies<\/b><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • More Inclusive History<\/b>: Indigenous and African American contributions are more fully integrated (VS.2\u2013VS.4).<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Economic & Government Concepts<\/b>: Emphasis on trade, taxation, and local governance throughout Virginia\u2019s development.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Changemakers<\/b>: Figures like Barbara Johns and L. Douglas Wilder appear prominently (VS.9\u2013VS.11).<\/span>\n

                    <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Grade 5 \u2013 U.S. History to 1865<\/b><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • Expanded Perspectives<\/b>: Students explore resistance to slavery, the founding ideals, and contradictions (USI.1).<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Geographic Reasoning<\/b>: Content now links location to historical change (USI.2).<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Foundational Skills<\/b>: Evidence-based argumentation and primary source analysis are key (Skills USIa\u2013i).<\/span>\n

                      <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Grade 6 \u2013 U.S. History 1865 to Present<\/b><\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • Inquiry Focus<\/b>: Students develop and answer historical questions with supporting evidence (Skills USIIa\u2013h).<\/span><\/li>\n
                      • Broader Historical Themes<\/b>: New emphasis on civil rights, immigration, and global conflict resolution (USII.7\u2013USII.10).<\/span><\/li>\n
                      • Economic Decision-Making<\/b>: Introduced earlier and explored in more depth (USIIg).<\/span>\n

                        <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Grade 7 \u2013 Civics and Economics<\/b><\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • Civic Engagement<\/b>: Students now examine civic participation in a digital world (Skills CEh).<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Government Function<\/b>: Focus on how decisions are made and policies enacted (CE.6\u2013CE.9).<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Expanded Media Literacy<\/b>: Students assess media bias, misinformation, and propaganda (Skills CEf\u2013CEg).<\/span>\n

                          <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Grade 8 \u2013 World Geography<\/b><\/h3>\n
                            \n
                          • Contemporary Relevance<\/b>: Emphasis on globalization, sustainability, and migration (WG.5\u2013WG.7).<\/span><\/li>\n
                          • Cultural Competency<\/b>: Deeper understanding of religion, language, and cultural regions (WG.3).<\/span><\/li>\n
                          • Analytical Mapping<\/b>: Greater focus on geospatial tools and applications (Skills WGa\u2013i).<\/span>\n

                            <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            High School \u2013 U.S. History<\/b><\/h3>\n
                              \n
                            • Critical Skills<\/b>: Students analyze sources, timelines, and construct evidence-based arguments (Skills VUSa\u2013j).<\/span><\/li>\n
                            • Expanded Historical Perspectives<\/b>: New standards include Bacon\u2019s Rebellion [VUS.4.c], Virginia During Reconstruction <\/span>[VUS.9.f]<\/span>, and the Readjuster Party [VUS.9.g], deepening understanding of early resistance and postwar political transformation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Here’s an example of a question from our item bank aligned to the new [VUS.9.f] standard.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              \n