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The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) equips public school staff with guidance and resources to effectively teach civics, economics, geography and history in kindergarten through grade 12. DDOE does not create or enforce specific social studies curriculum but does ensure schools follow the following state content standards and support all educators with high quality professional learning:

DDOE operates with the knowledge that all children are successful in the classroom and beyond when high expectations exist alongside appropriate supports. Our primary purpose is to assist districts and charter schools in their mission to prepare students for their college and career goals after high school.

Standards

Shared end-of-year learning targets for each grade across all districts and charter schools

Set end-of-year expectations for each grade as students progress towards college and career readiness expectations.

Assessments

Helps students, families and teachers determine each student’s strengths and areas for growth

Create a balanced assessment system aimed at supporting student growth.

Family Resources

Find instruction and assessment resources for students and families
Empowers families to support their children’s literacy development.

Please note: Delaware schools operate under local control, which means operational decisions – including classroom curriculum – are determined at the individual district and charter school level. For questions regarding classroom instruction, please contact your local district, charter or school board.

The Delaware Social Studies Coalition

The Delaware Social Studies Coalition aims to improve K-12 social studies teaching and learning in Delaware schools. The coalition supports the creation of high-quality instruction for students.

  • Assists districts and charters in the development of assessments to guide social studies curriculum development and instruction
  • Designs model lessons for each benchmark to be distributed to coalition members
  • Provides staff development for curriculum development and instructional delivery
  • Provides leadership and an organizational structure to facilitate planning and delivery of instructional materials

DDOE Representatives:

  • Michael Feldman, Education Associate for Social Studies Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
  • Dusty Shockley, Education Associate for Social Studies Assessment

United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is open to junior or senior high school students with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America’s political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service.

USSYP is a bipartisan initiative, bringing the highest-level officials from each branch of government to meet with young leaders during a week-long education and leadership program in Washington, D.C. each March. The program is merit-based and highly competitive. Participants will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

  • Must be a junior or senior high school student
  • Each student must be:
    • A permanent resident of the United States,
    • Currently enrolled in a public or private secondary school located in Delaware, and
    • Reside with at least one of their parents or guardians in Delaware for the entire school year. Exceptions to this residency requirement will only be made for students living in the Delmar School District.

  • Step One: Students submit their completed Delaware’s 2025 USSYP Application to their high school counselor. Applications must include:
    • Signed documentation of serving in an elected or appointed leadership position for the entire 2024-2025 school year; see USSYP Brochure for qualifying position
    • Two original essays
    • One original video presentation
    • Signed parent/guardian consent for Washington Week, March 1 – 8, 2025
    • Two signed letters of recommendation. One from their high school principal or teacher and one from an adult representative from the organization where the student has a record of leadership.
    • Copy of their school transcript
  • Step Two: Each Delaware high school selects one student as their school’s nominee for the USSYP.
  • Step Three: School counselors assemble their student nominee’s completed application with all required attachments, links, and signatures in one document and attach it to an email to Michael Feldman and Michelle Christman, Secretary at: michelle.christman@doe.k12.de.us by Friday, October 11, 2024.
  • Step Four: Students selected for the semi-finalist and finalist rounds will be notified by Delaware’s USSYP selection committee by November 20 via the email address provided in their application.
  • Step Five: Students selected as Delaware’s USSYP delegates will be notified after December 1, 2024.

Important Links

Digital DE – Find the most-current resources for Delaware educators to support students in all learning environments. Additional resources are available in the Social Studies Schoology group. Please email Michael Feldman for access.

Culturally Responsive Education – Resources for individuals to see themselves and others in their learning.

Professional learning – Opportunities for educators to participate in deep and engaging professional learning focused on student outcomes. Includes access to PDMS.

Contact Us

For more information on Delaware social studies standards, please email Michael Feldman or call 302-735-4180.