Public Comment Guidelines
History-Social Science Focus Groups
The California Department of Education (CDE) is conducting focus group meetings regarding the update of the History–Social Science Framework. Members of the public are invited to provide written and oral public comment at these meetings. Directions for providing public comment are:
- The focus group meeting will be held in two parts. During the initial session, only members of the focus group may participate. Members of the public are asked to hold their questions and comments for the second session, when comments will be invited from members of the public.
- A sign-up sheet for those wishing to provide public comment will be provided at the meeting, in order to help the facilitators divide the time so that everyone wishing to comment will have a chance to do so.
- All public comment may be limited to two minutes per speaker and/or organization, depending on the number signing up to comment. Because of time constraints, written comments are encouraged.
- Members of the focus group and the CDE facilitators will not respond to comments. All comments received, both written and orally, will be provided to the Curriculum Commission and the State Board of Education this fall.
- All comments should be specific to the content of the History–Social Science Framework. Members of the topic are welcome to comment on any part of the Framework, but should be aware that revision of the content standards is not currently within the scope of the update.
- Speakers are assigned to speak in the order they have signed up. When called upon to speak, speakers should identify their name and the organization they represent, if any, for the record.
- Organizations who sign up more than one speaker may be asked to select a single representative in order to allow all other individuals and organizations wishing to provide testimony to be heard.
- To avoid repeated comments, speakers are encouraged to simply indicate they are in support of statements made by previous speakers, and then either leave the podium or provide comments on issues not previously presented.
- There will be no public demonstrations, signs, or other unacceptable behavior during the focus group meeting. Individuals not complying will be asked to leave the room.
