We have an important opportunity to support funding for the social studies this year, since civic education champion Congressman Cole has now become subcommittee chairman. But he needs our help - he needs other Representatives to submit requests to fund the social studies.

The House Appropriations Committee has announced that deadlines for Congressional offices to submit their requests for the Labor, Health and Education subcommittee is March 26. Congressional offices have established varying internal deadlines to receive appropriations requests, but all Members have to submit their requests to the Committee by March 26.

If you haven't done this before, or you need a refresher, review the steps and instructions from the NCSS webinar below. It will take 15 minutes or less, but it's important! Every request submitted makes a difference. Feel free to pass this on to friends, family members, colleagues - anyone who cares about the teaching of the social studies in the schools can submit a request!

1. Go to your Representative's website and find the appropriations request form, or call the main phone number (listed on the website) and ask where to find the office's appropriations request form.
2. Fill out the form and submit it according to directions.
3. That's it!

Here's the information you will need to complete the form:

• Your name, organization, and contact information. (You don't can submit a request on behalf of NCSS, your state council, or just fill in "constituent.")
• The name of the Appropriations Subcommittee (Labor- HHS)
• The name of the federal agency (Department of Education)
• The name of the program/account (Fund for the Improvement of Education)
  • If it asks you for the line number, leave it blank. (This is for Department of Defense accounts only)
• The amount of money being requested ($30 million for civics and $30 million for history) Is this in the President's budget request (no) or are you requesting an increase in the program (yes)
• Why is this important?
  

  Explain, in your own words, that social studies receives no federal funding; that federal funds are needed to give schools and school districts options of effective, evidence-based approaches to teaching social studies, particularly in underserved communities, that meet the needs of their students. Feel free to give examples from your own school or school district.

• Language requests: report language to read: "Funding is provided for competitive grants to non-profit organizations with demonstrated effectiveness in the development and implementation ofcivic learning programs. Priority should be given to applicants that demonstrate innovation, scalability, and a focus on underserved populations, including rural schools and students."

Senate deadlines haven't been announced yet. We'll let you know when they are - but if you are on a roll, feel free to complete the forms for your two Senators and submit them while you're at it, too! The directions are the same as for the House forms, above.