Position Statement on Sexism

Approved by NCSS Board of Directors, November 1977

With the renewal of the feminist movement, society has become increasingly aware of the need to adjust inequities including those that exist between males and females economically, politically and socially. Social studies teachers necessarily have a greater responsibility in the achievement of this goal. The Committee on Sexism and Social Justice advises the National Council for the Social Studies on how best to serve the membership of social studies educators to further the cause of social justice and counteract sexism. The Committee believes that since the National Council for the Social Studies has a responsibility to participate actively in the achievement of social justice for all women it must commit itself to assuring equal protection of all persons regardless of sex, to facilitating the equalization of educational and professional opportunities for all persons regardless of sex, and to effecting change in the processes by which people are socialized in American society so that the personal, educational and career opportunities of all women are enhanced and extended.

In order to accomplish these objectives, it is recommended that:

1. NCSS assume a continuing responsibility to provide for equitable female representation at all decision-making levels within the organization.

2. NCSS encourage actively the enforcement and implementation of Title IX, the federal regulation which prohibits sex discrimination, and other related federal legislation. The first step could be efforts to inform all NCSS members about the specifics of this regulation and possible methods of implementation.

3. NCSS encourage the development of the curriculum materials which present womenâs perspectives on various historical periods in terms of problems, issues and experiences, which provide presentation of women in diverse roles, which explore the topic of social justice for women and which aid students in all levels to analyze values related to social justice via inquiry process.

4. NCSS accept a continuing responsibility to support employment practices and policies by educational institutions that will result in both suitable role models for students and professional mobility for women educators.

5. NCSS, in addition to being concerned with curriculum materials and employment practices, focus attention on the "hidden curriculum" of schools in order to help change sexist practices.

6. NCSS on a continuing basis encourage regional, state and local councils to sponsor workshops devoted to Social Justice for Women, including sexism awareness training.

7. NCSS on a continuing basis make every effort to make the program at the annual meeting reflect the official position on sexism and social justice.

8. NCSS require all its publications to give attention to social justice for women and be free of any sanctions of sex bias.

9. NCSS encourage the development of sexism awareness training at the pre-service and in-service levels.