04/04/2006 20550

SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION ADVISOR 1

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional educational work in providing statewide advisory services in the development, improvement and expansion of social studies educational programs at the elementary and secondary levels.

An employee in this job provides advisory and consultative services to local school districts, intermediate units and teacher preparation staffs in improving social studies education programs in Commonwealth schools. Work involves diagnosing educational problems at the local level, recommending solutions and providing assistance in improving the educational programs. Employees conduct training sessions, workshops and conferences to disseminate information on successful practices, new curriculum materials and innovative techniques and results from experimental projects in social studies education. Work involves assisting schools with curriculum planning and participation in the development or modification of curricula and curriculum materials. Work includes working with curriculum and research specialists to devise and evaluate new approaches and innovative programs in social studies education. Work also involves working in other curriculum or subject areas to provide advisory and consultative services in improving educational programs in the development or modification of curricula and curriculum materials and in resolving educational problems. In addition, employees work with other governmental and private agencies involved in social studies education-related activities to strengthen the subject area programs throughout the state. Work is performed with considerable independence and reviewed by a supervisor through periodic conferences and an evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops or participates in developing new approaches in social studies education and in pilot testing these approaches to evaluate their effectiveness.

Works with local school professionals to determine specific problems with their social studies education programs and to recommend improvements.

Develops and presents in-service workshop training to local school staff to familiarize them with current, new or improved practices, techniques and resources in social studies education programs.

Develops or participates in conference programs and workshops to promote new developments, materials and trends in social studies education.

Assists teachers and administrators to develop curricula and curriculum materials or to modify existing courses to better meet their needs and objectives.

Participates in the review of social studies education programs to introduce new concepts and methods and to develop curriculum guides, course outlines and related resource materials.

Works with curriculum and research specialists in the initiation, planning and conduct of studies and projects to evaluate innovative approaches and different techniques in social studies education programs.

Assists school staff in developing innovative and pilot programs in social studies education and in evaluating the effectiveness of the methods, approaches or materials used.

Disseminates information on current and new practices, developments, methods, materials and innovative and pilot programs through articles in professional journals, departmental publications or other media.

Provides advice and information to teacher preparation institutions, certification personnel and others involved in teacher education on unmet local school needs.

Provides advice to local school staff on the criteria and procedures for obtaining federal or special funds to improving their social studies education programs or to finance innovative projects.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the current methods and trends in social studies education at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Knowledge of the role and objectives of social studies education in a child's educational development process.

Knowledge of different teaching methods and techniques in social studies education program areas including their strengths and weaknesses with reference to children from different ages and social and cultural backgrounds.

Knowledge of curriculum planning and development as applied to social studies education at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Knowledge of current literature, materials, equipment, research and new developments in social studies education areas.

Knowledge of the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of students at the elementary and secondary level related to social studies education programs.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to promote the use of different teaching methods and curriculum materials, developments and techniques in social studies education in local school and teacher preparation programs.

Ability to organize, develop and conduct in-service training for teachers, school administrators and others to familiarize them with social studies education practices, methods, materials, goals and objectives.

Ability to select significant facts in diagnosing educational problems and in developing solutions suited to the appropriate school setting and implementation capabilities.

Ability to develop curriculum materials to implement new developments and practices in social studies education appropriate for use statewide and in individual school districts.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of professional experience in social studies education, including two years of experience in public schools and one year of experience in the development and implementation of social studies education curricula or programs;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes two years of experience in public schools and one year of experience in the development and implementation of social studies education curricula or programs.