National Council for the Social Studies

Last updated
National Council for the Social Studies
Formation1921
PurposeAcademic/Education
HeadquartersSilver Spring, Maryland
President
Anton Schulzki
Vice President
Tina Ellsworth
Executive Director
Lawrence Paska
Website socialstudies.org

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is a private, non-profit association based in Silver Spring, Maryland, that provides leadership, support, and advocacy for social studies education. [1]

Contents

The council is affiliated with various regional or state-level social studies associations, including the Middle States Council for the Social Studies, the Washington State Council for the Social Studies, the New York City UFT Association for the Teaching of Social Studies, the Michigan Council for the Social Studies, [2] the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies, [3] and the Virginia Council for the Social Studies.

The association publishes several journals. Its flagship publication, Social Education , [4] is a peer-reviewed [5] journal which, according to its website, aims to strike "a balance of theoretical content and practical teaching ideas." [6] They sponsor the high school honor society Rho Kappa. [7]

NCSS is currently a member of the National Coalition Against Censorship. [8]

History

Founded in 1921, NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local, and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K–12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies.

Social Studies

NCSS defines social studies as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. In essence, social studies promotes knowledge of and involvement in civic affairs. And because civic issues—such as health care, crime, and foreign policy—are multidisciplinary in nature, understanding these issues and developing resolutions to them requires multidisciplinary education. These characteristics are the key defining aspects of social studies.

Expectations of Excellence

In 2010, the council published National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: A Framework for Teaching, Learning and Assessment. This publication is an update and revision of Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies originally published in 1994. The National Curriculum Standards provides an articulated K–12 social studies program that serves as a framework for the integration of other national standards in social studies, including U.S. and world history, civics and government, geography, global education, and economics. NCSS standards ensure that an integrated social science, behavioral science, and humanities approach for achieving academic and civic competence is available to guide social studies decision makers in K–12 schools.

The NCSS framework consists of ten themes incorporating fields of study that correspond with one or more relevant disciplines. The organization believes that effective social studies programs include experiences that provide for the study of: Culture; Time, Continuity, and Change; People, Places, and Environments; Individual Development and Identity; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Power, Authority, and Governance; Production, Distribution, and Consumption; Science, Technology, and Society; Global Connections; and Civic Ideals and Practices.

Awards

The NCSS gives a number of awards [9] including:

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "National Council for the Social Studies - Program, Organizational Structure, Membership, History". education.stateuniversity.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  2. local NCSS Affiliated Councils
  3. "Who We Are I Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies".
  4. Martell’s Article Featured by National Council for the Social Studies. Boston University. School of Education. 18 September 2013. Accessed 9 August 2017.
  5. Teaching Content Areas - Literacy and Social Studies: Home. Drexel University. 2017. Accessed 9 August 2017.
  6. Social Education. National Council for the Social Studies. 2017. Accessed 9 August 2017.
  7. "Rho Kappa Overview, Requirements and History". Honor Society Museum. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  8. "The Coalition". National Coalition Against Censorship. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  9. "Awards and Grants". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  10. "NCSS Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  11. "Award for Global Understanding given in honor of James M. Becker". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. "Christa McAuliffe Reach for the Stars Award". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. "NCSS Research Awards". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. "Carter G. Woodson Book Awards". www.socialstudies.org. National Council for the Social Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2015.