The following requirements shall apply to the certification of a social studies teacher for grades 5-12:

1. (a) To be certified as a social studies teacher for grades 5-12, the candidate shall:

   1. (1) Have at least a bachelor’s degree; and
   2. (2) Qualify for certification under one of the alternatives in Ed 505.01 – Ed 505.05.
2. (b) For candidates seeking certification under an alternative 3, 4 or 5 pathway, the department of education shall assess the skills, competencies and knowledge of candidates for certification as educators in social studies by reviewing evidence, such as, but not limited to, college course work, documented professional experience, letters of recommendation, professional development hours or CEU’s, and artifacts of professional practice.

3. (c) A candidate for certification as a social studies teacher for grades 5-12 shall have skills, competencies and knowledge in the following areas:

   1. (1) In the area of content, the ability to explain the importance of knowledge in each of the following areas, including ways in which each subject area provides insight into contemporary society:

      1. a. New Hampshire and United States civics and government;
      2. b. Economics;
      3. c. Geography;
      4. d. United States and New Hampshire history; and
      5. e. World history;

   2. (2) In the area of content, the ability to exhibit knowledge of the basic concepts, generalizations, and issues of the subject areas, including an in-depth understanding of history and one of the following subject areas:

      1. a. New Hampshire and United States civics and government;
      2. b. Economics;
      3. c. Geography; and
      4. d. World history;

   3. (3) In the area of related subject content, the ability to explain the importance of at least one of the following behavioral sciences including ways in which it provides insight into contemporary society:

      1. a. Anthropology;
      2. b. Psychology; or
      3. c. Sociology;
   4. (4) In the area of content, the ability to demonstrate the research methodology of professionals in at least one of the 5 subject areas referred to in (c)(1) above, or a related social studies subject area;

   5. (5) In the area of pedagogy, the ability to:

      1. a. Develop comprehensive unit plans which integrate materials and concepts from 2 or more social science disciplines listed in (1) that envelop essential questions, central themes, issues or problems and that coherently link to daily lessons;
      2. b. Design learning activities that employ research methods unique to the social sciences including activities in which students design inquiries based on compelling essential questions;

      3. c. Demonstrate the capacity to use a variety of social studies learning activities and techniques in order to:

         1. 1. Foster in students a commitment to and an ability to engage in democratic processes and decision-making;
         2. 2. Provide exposure to and opportunities to express multiple interpretations of issues;
         3. 3. Encourage in students a capacity for deliberation and thoughtful exchange of competing viewpoints between citizens within and outside the classroom;
         4. 4. Develop students’ critical thinking, using a variety of instructional methods including how to assess the quality of information and ethical, legal or policy analyses;
         5. 5. Gather and evaluate primary and secondary sources from civics, economics, geography and history with the purpose of using evidence to support claims;
         6. 6. Assess how factual information, opinion, entertainment, and advertising are presented differently in various media;
         7. 7. Apply a range of deliberative and democratic strategies and procedures to carry out analyses, make decisions and communicate ideas via oral and written expression;
         8. 8. Create structured and varied opportunities for students to participate in informed ways via community resources and projects; and
      4. d. Promote adolescent literacy and incorporate relevant literacy standards by using literacy strategies in order to foster comprehension and develop social studies skills.

Source. #7274 eff 7-1-00, EXPIRED: 7-1-08 New. #9525, eff 8-14-09; ss by #12452, eff 1-12-18; renumbered by #12603 (formerly Ed 507.27)