Why You Must Advocate for Social Studies Advocacy is the lifeblood of political change. It consists of purposeful efforts to change policies that already exist or are proposed. As a social studies educator or professional you are in a unique position to advocate for social studies. You have the best understanding of social studies and its importance for developing students on their path towards college, career, and civic life. Collectively, you and your colleagues are empowered to communicate with local legislators and congressional leaders throughout the United States. Guiding Questions…

The below Advocacy Toolkit is an educational resource and planning tool of the National Council for the Social Studies created and developed for non-profit educational and research purposes with the objective of advocating for social studies education. The Toolkit can be freely used for these non-profit purposes. The Toolkit includes links to materials that may be copyrighted, and the Toolkit makes fair use of these materials for educational purposes. Those who wish to use any of these materials for purposes that go beyond fair use should obtain permission from the copyright ownerWant…

*/

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, NCSS editors have curated this selection of articles and resources from Social Education and Social Studies and the Young Learner. 

What is Social Studies? Definition Social studies is the study of individuals, communities, systems, and their interactions across time and place that prepares students for local, national, and global civic life. Purpose Using an inquiry-based approach, social studies helps students examine vast human experiences through the generation of questions, collection and analysis of evidence from credible sources, consideration of multiple perspectives, and the application of social studies knowledge and disciplinary skills. As a result of examining the past, participating in the present, and…

Shaping Attitudes The goal of public relations is to shape someone's or some group's attitudes regarding your organization or project. Our task is to create an accurate understanding of the value of social studies education and what people can do to help social studies educators teach students the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for college, career, and civic life. The Basic Concepts Messages about social studies are being delivered all the time—at youth sporting events, school functions, in the supermarket checkout line and at other community gathering places and events.…

NCSS is partnering with the Library of Congress to develop digital resources for use in teacher candidate programs to demonstrate the effectiveness of teaching with primary sources and the College, Career, and Civic Life ("C3") Framework Inquiry Arc. The centerpiece of these resources will be five online methods publications. Released in 2023, two grant-funded methods texts, Using Inquiry to Prepare Students for College, Career, and Civic Life, one designed for K-6 elementary methods courses and the other for 6-12 secondary methods courses. Due for release in the 2023-2024 school year, a…

National Council for the Social Studies is pleased to offer the below guides to help you successfully plan and execute a meeting with your legislators.