Millicent Smith, Supervisor
10th Floor, Andrew Johnson Building, (865) 594-1737

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Knox County Social Studies department is to teach the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable students to become responsible, active citizens in a diverse, global society.

Department Beliefs:

The Social Studies department believes:

• Social studies links the past, present, and future.

• Social studies develops an appreciation for our country’s heritage.

• Social studies develops an understanding of an individual’s role in the family, the community, the state, the nation, and in a global society.

• Social studies promotes an understanding of global cultures past and present.

• Social studies develops knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable individuals to make informed personal and social decisions that contribute to life-long learning.

• Social studies develops the skills that enable individuals to develop an understanding of our country’s economic system and to become effective producers and consumers.

• Social studies promotes the attributes of good citizenship.

Student Learning Goals:

• Students will develop a respect for their rights and the rights of others.
• Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will foster responsible, global citizenship.
• Students will develop the skills necessary to adapt to an ever-changing society.
• Students will understand how society establishes governing institutions and distributes power and authority.
• Students will study, analyze, and interpret data in order to develop a historical perspective to assist in making informed choices and decisions for the present.
• Students will develop global and multicultural perspectives.

The Social Studies Curriculum/Content Provides Critical Support for Knox County’s Instructional Goals (specifically Literacy and 100-90-90-90 Initiatives), School Board & Individual School Missions, and the Superintendent’s Strategic Plan by:

• Supporting the Common Good.
• Adopting Common and Multiple Perspectives .
• Applying Knowledge, Skills, and Values to Civic Action.
• Acquiring Information and Manipulating Data.
• Developing and Presenting Policies, Arguments, and Stories.
• Constructing New Knowledge.
• Implementing a Collaboratively Developed Standards- Based Curriculum with Common Pacing and Frequent Formative Assessments.
• Using Data to Improve Instruction.
• Addressing the ACT College Readiness Standards for Reading & Writing throughout the K-12 Curriculum.
• Encouraging Cross-Curricular Instruction to  Support High-Stakes Subject Areas such as Math & Reading.