K-12 Social Studies Market 2024-2025

K-12 Social Studies Market 2024-2025


Simba Information’s K-12 Social Studies Market 2024-2025 report provides an in-depth analysis of trends shaping social studies education in the U.S., covering market growth, emerging curricular priorities, and educator needs. The report, which includes findings from Simba Information’s October 2024 survey as well as in-depth industry research, forecasts the market to grow to more than $760 million in 2024. Findings highlight a gradual adoption of AI in classrooms, primarily for lesson planning, while standards alignment, student engagement, and usability remain top selection factors for educators. Key curriculum additions include civics, financial literacy, and media literacy, reflecting a shift toward practical and relevant content. Amid legislative shifts, providers like Pearson and McGraw Hill lead in core curriculum, while digital-first supplemental resources continue to expand, supporting diverse perspectives and inclusive education. This report offers essential insights for those engaged in the evolving social studies market.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
KEY FINDINGS
METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION LANDSCAPE
DEFINITION OF SOCIAL STUDIES
Table 1.1. Nationwide Key Thematic Focus Areas in Social Studies Curriculum; by grade level
SHIFTING CURRICULUM STANDARDS
TRENDS IN MODERNIZING CURRICULA
Transparent Processes
Research-Based and Evidence-Grounded
Equity-Focused
Inclusivity
Continuous Improvement
Instructional Time and Resources
CHAPTER 2. SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM LANDSCAPE
OVERVIEW OF CORE AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
TRENDS IN SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULA
Integration of Primary Sources
Multicultural and Global Perspectives
Digital vs. Print Materials
EVALUATION AND ADOPTION PROCESSES
State-led Reviews
District-led Reviews
Teacher-user Reviews
KEY DECISION-MAKERS
State-Level Decision-Making
District-Level Decision-Making
School-Level Decision-Making
IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN ADOPTION AND REJECTION
11/8/2024 © Simba Information i
CHAPTER 3. COMPANY PROFILES
CORE MATERIAL PROVIDERS
Cengage Group (Boston, MA)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) (Boston, MA)
Imagine Learning (Scottsdale, AZ)
McGraw Hill (New York, NY)
Pearson (London, UK)
Savvas Learning Company (Paramus, NJ)
Social Studies School Service (Culver City, CA)
Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI) (Palo Alto, CA)
WW Norton (New York, NY)
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL PROVIDERS
Discovery Education (Charlotte, NC)
Edmentum (Bloomington, MN)
Frog Street Press (Southlake, TX)
IXL Learning (San Mateo, CA)
Khan Academy (Mountain View, CA)
National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) (Silver Spring, MD)
Scholastic (New York, NY)
CHAPTER 4. TEACHER PREFERENCES AND NEEDS WHEN SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
FACTORS INFLUENCING MATERIAL SELECTION
Alignment with Standards
Student Engagement
Figure 4.1. Teachers’ Priorities in Determining Tasks and Activities from Curriculum; 2021-2022; by
subject
Comprehensive and Balanced Content
DESIRED FEATURES IN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Cultural Relevance
Adaptability for Different Learning Styles
IMPACT OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON CHOICES
Restrictions on Teaching Divisive Topics
Community and Parental Influences
THE STATUS OF K–5 SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 5. EMERGING TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
POST-COVID LEARNING LOSS ADJUSTMENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
USE OF AI AND TECHNOLOGY IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TEACHING, LEARNING, AND TUTORING PRODUCTS
FINANCIAL LITERACY, MEDIA LITERACY, AND CIVIC EDUCATION TRENDS
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FOCUS ON DIVERSITY (CRT, DEI, GENDER, HISTORY INTERPRETATIONS)
Characteristics of Rejected Texts
Sample State Standards
Response and Role of Educational Publishers
CHAPTER 6. IMPACT OF CRT, DEI, AND HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONS IN EDUCATION
CHARACTERISTICS OF REJECTED TEXTS
SAMPLE STATE STANDARDS
ANTI-CRT LEGISLATION
RESPONSE BY PUBLISHERS AND BROADER STAKEHOLDERS
IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLISHERS
Monitoring Legal Landscape and Adapting to Changes
Clarifying CRT and DEI Concepts
Ensuring Accuracy and Balance
Creating Flexible and Customizable Materials
Providing Comprehensive Support for Educators
FINAL REFLECTIONS
CHAPTER 7. STATE OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES MARKET
MARKET SIZE ESTIMATES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
Figure 7.1. Social Studies Market Size; 2019-2027
SOCIAL STUDIES SHARE OF MARKET
DEMAND DRIVERS FOR MARKET GROWTH IN THE K-12 SOCIAL STUDIES SEGMENT
MARKET SEGMENTATION
Middle School versus High School
Table 7.1 Total Enrollment in Public elementary and secondary institution; in millions Fall 2022
DIGITAL VERSUS PRINT
Table 7.2. Share of Social Studies Instructional Materials; Print vs Digital; 2024
MARKET BREAKDOWN AND ANALYSIS
CORE VERSUS SUPPLEMENTAL
Figure 7.2. “Do you have a core curriculum?”
CHAPTER 8. CHALLENGES AND GAPS IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
IDENTIFIED GAPS IN CURRENT CURRICULA
Figure 8.1. Four Key Takeaways from NCSS and iCivics Survey and Focus Group
NEEDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Principals' Perspectives on Professional Learning Needs
Equity Concerns in Professional Development
The Role of Principals in Professional Development
Recommendations for Strengthening Professional Development
IMPORTANCE OF HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
IMPACT OF LEGISLATION ON CURRICULUM CONTENT
Specific State-Level Examples of Legislative Impact
Texas and Florida: Restrictions on Social Studies Content
Virginia: Contentious Social Studies Standards Revision
Tennessee: Prohibitions on Specific Concepts
California and Illinois: Progressive Approaches to Social Studies Standards
South Carolina: Suspension of Social Studies Assessments
Variability in Standards and Accountability Across States
Federal Legislation: Impact of ESSA and NCLB
ADDRESSING LITERACY AND READING CHALLENGES
CHAPTER 9. ANALYSIS OF SIMBA NATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTION
EDUCATOR PROFILES AND SCHOOL TYPES
Curriculum Satisfaction and Retention of Programs
Integration of New Topics and Emerging Subject Areas
Spending Patterns in Social Studies Instruction
Decision-Making in Curriculum Selection
Professional Development and Training Needs
FINAL OBSERVATIONS
CHAPTER 10. STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLISHERS IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
QUALITY CONTENT
PROMOTING THE ADOPTION OF HIGH-QUALITY, INCLUSIVE MATERIALS (HQIM)
SUPPORTING TEACHERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES AND TRAINING MATERIALS
NAVIGATING POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES

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