Cross Case Features: Context

Hardin Middle School: State Context

The state Social Studies standards include international education as an area of emphasis. Asia is mentioned in these guidelines as well as in the sample questions from the Social Studies assessment, which is given every other year. In addition to a list of other countries, the Social Studies standards requires the study of Asian history, cultures, and people in the sixth, ninth, and eleventh grades.

Complying with the state performance standards determines whether or not a schools retains its accreditation status. The state monitoring process puts extreme pressure on administrators, teachers, and students. Said Kenneth Johnson, the principal at Hardin Middle School, “The state standards drive a lot of what we do in this state.” Referring to the effort to infuse Asian content into instruction, he says, “If [Asia] is in the state assessment, it’s easy, a cakewalk.”