NCSS Annual Conference Call for Proposals
Washington, DC • December 5-7, 2025
NCSS Annual Conference Call for Proposals
“For Dewey, our democracy is not something to be spurned, nor is it something with which to be satisfied. Our democracy is an emblem of what could be.”
--Hilary Putnam
From the 2025 Conference Chair
Greetings, Social Studies Educators!
I am Tina Ellsworth, and I am the chair of the 2025 NCSS conference. I am thrilled to announce the call for proposals for the 105th Conference in Washington, D.C.: a destination city for social studies enthusiasts! The planning committee has met and crafted a vision for a conference that will inspire social studies teachers to have hope, joy, and love for what they teach and who they serve. This call is intended to serve as a guide as you prepare to submit proposals to be considered for the program.
Theme Description
This year’s theme is “Because Democracy Depends on It” and we ask you to consider all of the ways that you educate for democracy. As you work through this theme, consider these questions: What does it mean to live and thrive in a democratic society as an educator, as a learner and as a member? What does it mean to teach in a democratic society? What does it mean to sustain a democratic society? What should democratic societies be like?
Content and skills learned across the social studies disciplines are all critical components to answering those questions. Democracy relies upon public participation, an educated populace, a commitment to people centered justice and fairness, and compassion and respect for the humanity of each of us. As social studies educators, we play an integral role in protecting democracy now and in perpetuity.
Educating for democracy is not only the purview of government or civics teachers, but is the duty of educators who center students, families and communities in their classrooms. It’s about creating liberatory spaces where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, where everyone is valued and respected, and where everyone’s consciousness is raised about the world around them. Teaching for democracy goes beyond teaching about governance and instead calls upon us to empower students to use critical knowledge and skills to advocate individually and collectively for a more just future. This theme asks each of us to consider new ways in which we can help students see themselves as agents in democratic societies and how they can hold fast to the power within them to achieve their dreams and to make their world a better place.
We want your conference to be a space where people in various roles create new communities of learning and sharing because we recognize that we are all better together. We invite social studies researchers, aspiring/practicing/retired classroom teachers, social studies leaders and supervisors, state leaders, and international guests to find ways that their interests intersect with one another so they can do new and important work together. May we find joy in collaboration and congregation as we seek to foster new relationships to enrich the work we do because democracy depends on it.
We envision a conference where educators are lifted up, empowered, and liberated to do their best work and are inspired to do the same with their students when they return to their classrooms. As you begin your proposal writing process, we encourage you to first curate your own playlist of songs that bring you joy. Let those songs serve as a soundtrack as you prepare a proposal that centers joy in teaching and educating for democracy. Find songs that inspire you and remind you of the important work you do. If you need a few songs to start, you may consider (and this is far from an exhaustive list):
- "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
- "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves
- "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole
- "Brave" by Sara Bareilles
- "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac
- "The Best" by Tina Turner
- "Good to be Alive" by Andy Grammer
- "Celebration" by Kool and Gang
- "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera
- "Can’t Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake
We invite you to share your innovative ideas that will bring hope, joy, and love into the teaching of social studies as you consider the futures of students, educators, the profession, and our democratic society.
We know the power of an educated populace. We understand how education is liberation. NCSS is the perfect place to engage in this critical learning and sharing, and we hope you join us “because democracy depends on it…”
Tina M. Ellsworth,
President-Elect
105th NCSS Annual Conference Program Chair
Recommended readings:
Muhammad, G. (2023). Unearthing Joy. Scholastic.
Proposal Timeline
December 2024
- Proposal Window Opens
January-February 2025
- Proposal Window Opens Recruit Proposal Reviewers
February 28, 2025
- Proposals Due (11:59 pm HST)
March 2025
- First Round of Reviews
May 2025
- Second Round of Reviews
- Finalization of Program Proposals
June 2025
- Notifications of Decisions
Become a Reviewer
We encourage all interested educators to consider becoming a proposal reviewer! As a reviewer, you will read and rate 12-15 proposals over a period of 2-3 weeks. The work is done entirely online, and you will help shape the NCSS Annual Conference to reflect the needs of educators like yourself. You may signup up as a reviewer at the same time you submit a proposal, or if you are not presenting, please click the link below to create an account or sign into the portal.
Become a ReviewerPlease review the NCSS 2025 Call for Proposals before submitting.
Crafting Your Proposal
Use the following guidelines to help you craft your proposal.
Step 1: Generate an Idea
As you begin brainstorming ideas for a proposal, there are a few things you may wish to consider:
- current trends/issues in social studies
- lessons you have done in your classroom that have been successful
- how to expand upon ideas you have seen at other conferences
Chances are that you are already doing something that other teachers would want to know about.
Step 2: Determine the Target Audience
Every year thousands of social studies educators attend the conference. Consider who would benefit the most from the ideas you would like to share: early childhood/elementary, middle level/junior high, or secondary/high school grades, higher education or supervisors/administrators.
The most common job roles represented include: classroom teacher, instructional coach, school/district supervisor, state education department, supervisor/director, education consultant, principals, under/grad students, teacher educators.
Step 3: Determine the Session Type
There are a few different session types to choose from:
- Poster Sessions involve a poster display and possible technology with a display table. Presenters engage with attendees in small groups over a 60 minute block.
- Sessions are 60 minute sessions with theater seating.
- Power Sessions are 30 minute sessions that typically highlight a topic, resource, or tool.
- Workshops are two hours long and take place on the Sunday morning of the conference. Workshops should include deep learning and exploration of a topic, strategy, or resource.
- Clinics are half day or full day deep dives that occur the Thursday before the conference begins.
- Off-Site Clinics are half day or full day deep dives that occur off- site the Thursday before the conference. There should be a significant rationale for holding the clinic off-site.
Acceptance rates are the highest among poster sessions and power sessions. Traditional sessions are the third with clinics and workshops rounding out the rest.
Step 4: Choose your Content Area
What content area best matches your idea? Choose from one of the following and allow the content area to also help guide your proposal:
- U.S. History
- World History
- Economics
- Geography
- Civics/Government
- Global Studies
- Human Rights
- Psychology
- Disciplinary Literacy
- Teaching and Learning
- Technology
- Law/Law-Related Education
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Step 5: Write the Participant Experience
In this section, explain what will happen during your presentation. Share the intended outcomes (content/pedagogy) and what you hope participants will learn. Describe how participants will engage with you/your content/strategies during the session. Be thorough.
Step 6: Explain New Ideas
Explain how this session will offer new pedagogical and/or content ideas to educators. Explain how the pedagogy or content is new, fresh, and relevant.
Step 7: Explain New Perspectives
Explain how this session will include new perspectives or amplify counter-narratives.
Step 8: Describe Why the Session is Needed
Explain what makes this session important and why it should be included in the program. Explain how it connects to current trends in social studies education. (75 word limit.)
Step 9: Connect to the Theme
Explain how this session connects with the theme and the vision set forth by the chair. (75 word limit.)
Step 10: Write and Intriguing Title and Abstract
As you look back over the first nine steps, write a title and abstract that best encapsulates the proposal. Write titles and abstracts that will draw attendees to your session.
Note: The title and abstract that are submitted on the proposal are the ones that would be printed in the program and on the conference app should it be selected to be included in the program.
Final Step: Submit Your Proposal
Once you are ready to submit the proposal, have a colleague or two read it over and offer suggestions. Then, go to proposals.socialstudies.org to create an account and submit your proposal by filling out each of these questions on the proposal form.
Presenters should limit themselves to being the lead author on two proposals.
Proposal Review Rubric
The categories below are used to review proposals. Each description represents the highest score on the rubric.
Proposal Alignment
The title, abstract, and proposal are clearly and strongly aligned. The title and abstract are an accurate and clear representation of the overall proposal.
Participant Experience
The proposal clearly describes the outcomes for participants. There are several opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and engagement with other attendees. Classroom-ready materials are available.
New Ideas
The proposal offers topics that are new and fresh. Participants will learn new pedagogical strategies to enhance their instruction. The topic is relevant to today’s students.
New Perspectives
The proposal offers perspectives that amplify counternarratives and other lesser known stories.
Session Importance
The proposal makes a strong argument for why this session is important for social studies educators. It aligns to current trends and issues in social studies education. This session is one that people would want to attend.
Alignment to Theme
The proposal is strongly aligned to the theme. It promotes the ideas, mission, and values explained in the call for proposals.
Other
Reviewers will be asked to provide an overall recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit my proposal?
All proposals must be submitted via our online form at proposals.socialstudies.org
Do I have to be an NCSS member to present?
No, but all presenters must register to attend the conference. Presenters receive a discounted rate.
When will I find out if my proposal was accepted?
Lead authors will receive notification from NCSS in June 2025.
Can I submit more than one proposal?
Yes. However, there is a limit of only two proposals for any lead author.
When do I need to complete my submission?
February 28, 2025.
I don’t teach government, civics, or history. Can I still submit a proposal?
Yes! And you should. Any teacher interested in educating for democracy should submit a proposal. See the description of the theme at the beginning of this document. All social studies disciplines fit the bill.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please contact our Meetings Department.
