Citizenship Education

Censuses are a wonderful snapshot of the population of the United States, They offer a treasure trove of demographic and social information that facilitates discussion of many historical and contemporary topics in social studies classes.
For the 2010 Census, all U.S. households should by now have received a census form with 10 questions about the number of people living in the household on April 1, as well as their gender, age and race.

Here are three articles on the census from recent NCSS publications.

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"The Constitution is the most important document in our nation's history. It continues to guide and protect each of us in our daily lives more than 200 years after it was drafted. When you freely express or publish your opinions, when you write to your elected officials, when you worship at the church of your choice or when you exercise your right to bear arms, you can do so because of the protections afforded by the Constitution and our founding fathers. As a teacher and lifelong student of government, I believe it is vital for all American students to understand and appreciate the meaning of the Constitution as the foundation for our nation and our government."

A special message to social studies teachers from U.S. Rep. Harry E. Mitchell
Congressional District 5, Arizona
Former Government Teacher, Tempe High School

• NCSS Resources on the US Constitution

The Forum for Education and Democracy is launching a national web-based campaign that challenges all Americans to transform the optimism of the election season into the promise of collective action to improve public education. A short web film, an homage to the "Yes We Can" campaign film, sets in motion a national petition drive in which all signers commit to work with President Obama to honor four promises that must be fulfilled if we are serious about supporting young people and public schools: 1) Every child deserves a 21st Century education; 2) Every community deserves an equal chance; 3) Every child deserves a well-supported teacher; and 4) Every child deserves high-quality health care. To encourage action on the local level, the Forum provides a list of easy steps people can undertake individually and at the community level in support of each promise.

Read more, view the petition and film: http://www.willwereally.com/   --> read more »

“Made in Washington” – how a decision or policy of the federal government impacts your local community -- is the theme of a new high school and middle school student-generated video competition.   --> read more »

Need help teaching the election? The October issue of Social Education will focus on the 2008 Election. NCSS has also put together a list of materials from NCSS and links to web sites that can help you in your classroom.   --> read more »

An editorial appearing in The Christian Science Monitor speaks to our NCSS mission eloquently. "Do Graduates Understand Citizenship?" posits this title question while reminding readers of the fragile nature of our democracy. Read this article by Diane Cameron. click here.

A Position Statement of National Council for the Social Studies
Prepared by the NCSS Citizenship Select Subcommittee
Approved by the NCSS Board of Directors, May 2000, Confirmed 2007

Rationale

(C)1997 National Council for the Social Studies. May be reproduced without permission.

Prepared by the NCSS Task Force on Character Education in the Social Studies, Approved by NCSS Board of Directors, Fall 1996

Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation.
No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure.   --> read more »

This position statement, which was prepared by the NCSS Task Force on Revitalizing Citizenship Education, was approved by the NCSS Board of Directors in May 2001.   --> read more »