Angela Breidenstein, Richard Butler, and Nipoli Kamdar Americans believe that economic literacy is an essential component of a good education. In the most recent Standards in Economics Survey of the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE), 96 percent of U.S. adults surveyed stated that basic economics should be taught in high school.1 There are good reasons for this conviction. Economics is, as Alfred Marshall once said, “the study of mankind in the ordinary business of life.” In our personal lives, and in our roles as citizens, we encounter numerous situations in which we need a…

At a time when economics, business, the national budget, and international trade dominate the headlines, economic knowledge and understanding is crucial. The ability to analyze and understand such issues as the privatization of Social Security or the impact of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) is essential for citizens in a democracy. If we social studies educators live up to our stated mission—to “teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy”—economics should be as important…

The Supreme Court closed out its 2000 term in June after issuing seventy-nine opinions and agreeing to take up more questions of interest to students and educators alike. Among the issues already slated for review after the 2001 term opens on October 1 are cases that could decide the future of affirmative action, the death penalty, and on-line pornography. Looking Back Last term was contentious for the justices, and not just because of the December decision in Bush v. Gore, No. 00-949—the case that effectively decided the 2000 presidential election. It determined both that the Florida…

“If they find out that the attackers were Arab, will they put us in internment camps like the Japanese in World War II?” An Arab American boy posed this question to his parents in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. His fears were not laid to rest in the week after the tragedy, when hundreds of hate crimes were perpetrated against Arab Americans, both Muslim and Christian. These included verbal and physical attacks, shootings, bomb and death threats, and vandalism against homes, businesses, and places of worship. A general mood of hostility toward Arabs and Muslims was…

It was fall 1979. The Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati was gathering for its annual meeting. The top item on the agenda was the Iranian hostage crisis and how to handle the anti-Iranian fervor that was growing in the United States. Particular attention went to a young boy in Wilmington, Ohio—a small, closely knit farming community that was proud of its Quaker college, considered a beacon of tolerance and intellectualism. The fifth-grade boy on the meeting’s agenda had an American mother and an Iranian father working at the college. Being the lone child in town with an Iranian connection…

By participating in the NCSS Annual Conference, you agree to comply with the following Code of Conduct. NCSS is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, productive, and collaborative environment for all meeting participants, NCSS and other event and facilities staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, NCSS staff members, service providers, and all other are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct in all event spaces and when participating in any virtual platforms, and using mobile and online conference aps. All participants are expected to…

Solidarity in Social Studies – the theme of the 101st National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference is one that speaks to the times in which we live. In 1981 as a young college student, I had the good fortune to meet and listen to young members of the Solidarność, (Solidarity) movement that ultimately helped to topple the Communist regime of Poland in 1989. The impact of that meeting would be long lasting. The power of people coming together to fight injustice, inequality, racism, homophobia, sexism, and ignorance has a long history in this country – and around…

Recent research indicates that robust elementary social studies programs that use authentic, engaging texts can supercharge literacy instruction. Join host Martin Andrews and Jillian Corr, Learning Experience Designer at inquirED, to review current research and explore powerful practices for improving students’ literacy outcomes through inquiry-based social studies.   All Times Eastern

Culturally Responsive Education embraces research-based practice to improve student learning outcomes. Join host Martin Andrews as he explores the importance of Culturally Responsive Education in Social Studies with Evan Gutierrez (VP for Curriculum & Instruction, Newsela) and Shanti Elangovan (Founder and CEO of inquirED).   All Times Eastern