The Maine DOE has created a free webinar to help educators better understand where Maine students are when it comes to developing evidence-based arguments and how to support them in improving those skills. The webinar is the latest in a series of school improvement webinars developed by the Department to support Maine schools based on needs identified from statewide student performance data.
Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) suggest the need for all Maine students to learn and practice argumentative writing through inquiry-based social studies learning experiences in the subject areas of U.S. history, civics and economics.
As a result, the Department’s Social Studies Specialist Kristie Littlefield recently recorded a webinar which examines student achievement data and identifies resources that support an inquiry-based approach in social studies. The 15 minute webinar examines available data and highlights available resources. Resources discussed emphasize the analysis and evaluation of multiple primary and secondary sources and the development of evidence-based arguments through social studies investigations. The recorded webinar can be found here.
For more information or technical assistance, please contact Maine DOE’s Social Studies Specialist Kristie Littlefield at kristie.littlefield@maine.gov or 624-6828.