NCSS Responds to Assault on Democracy
NCSS Responds to Assault on Democracy
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the United States witnessed a devastating moment which tore at the very fabric binding our nation together. That fabric is the result of values and ideals that have been shaped and retested many times over the past few centuries—sometimes peacefully, sometimes through brutal conflict, and often with still more issues left unresolved. The words of our founding documents have been debated and expanded upon many times, yet our biggest strength as a nation is our ability to engage in civic discourse peacefully, and to transition power based on the consent of the people. That fabric begins to be woven in our K-12 social studies classrooms right when our youngest learners walk through the door on their first day in school. It continues to be nurtured to what we all aspire to be a lifetime commitment to engage in civic life.
Yesterday was a day of shock, division, and hatred. It was a day that reiterated the fragility of our democracy. Today, however, must be a day of recognition, discourse, and healing. It must be a day when all educators are supported in their communities when students arrive to ask questions about how our civic society works. Our students are coming to a new school day with many questions. They may be wondering about the structure of our republic, our democratic process, the hypocrisies and racial disparities in our responses to protests, and the difference between a peaceful exercise of First Amendment freedoms and a mob riot. They may be confused, frightened, enraged, or simply wondering what happened and why it happened. Our students must have the unbiased opportunity to ask those questions—and our educators must have the resources and support to allow those questions to be asked, and the support to provide for meaningful and truthful inquiry to occur. Today must be just a starting point for these conversations.
One of the greatest signs of respect we can give to our nation today, and in the future, is to support our educators and our students in their civic learning and engagement. Let them unpack, process, ask, and engage. The future of a healthy civic life and the strength of our republic depend on it. Let’s recognize the vital need to prioritize civics, history, and social studies education. We call on elected leaders and decision-makers at all levels—from the United States Congress to local school boards—to make this investment for student learning and teacher professional development and ensure a healthy democracy. If we learned anything from yesterday’s events, it is that this investment is needed now more than ever.
Stefanie Wager
President
Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D.
Executive Director
NCSS Resources
Strongman: The Rise of Dictators and the Fall of Democracy
Teaching students about the history and patterns of authoritarianism can help bolster our own collective awareness of the vulnerability of democracy.
Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College? An Interview with Dr. Alexander Keyssar
This probing discussion of the Electoral College offers new approaches to teaching about this often-perplexing political system.
Beyond the 19th: A Brief History of the Voter Suppression of Black Americans
A close look at the history of African American voting rights can launch a lively classroom discussion about present-day democratic struggles.
Election Security: Fundamental and Threatened
Inviting students to ponder the meaning of secure elections can launch an important discussion about public trust in election results.
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport: The Role of Social Studies in Safeguarding the Republic
It's a critical time to engage in classroom discussions about democracy—what it is, what threatens it today, and how we can protect it.
Teaching Controversial Issues in a Time of Polarization
Families and principals can play a crucial role in fostering controversial-issue classroom discussions that support students’ civic learning.
Misinformation in the Information Age: What Teachers Can Do to Support Students
Three educational approaches outlined in this article help young people develop the capacity to judge the accuracy and credibility of online information.
Teaching Students to Navigate the Online Landscape
There is no silver bullet for combatting the forces that seek to mislead online, but we can equip students with a digital tool belt stocked with strategies.
Confronting Confirmation Bias: Giving Truth a Fighting Chance in the Information Age
At a time when algorithms shape and filter our newsfeeds, teaching students news literacy—how to differentiate credible information from misinformation—has taken on unprecedented importance.
Invoking History in Today's Politics
Studying the Weimar Republic can help students make connections between the past and present and understand how history can inform our choices today.
The First Act of Congress
Lee Ann Potter
In the early days of this nation, Congress considered numerous acts as it established the laws of the land. Yet the first ever act of Congress concerned an oath to support the Constitution.
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Demystifying the Electoral College: 12 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Electoral College? The Electoral College is a body of people appointed by each U.S. state and the District of Columbia, who elect the president and vice president. Voters in each state and the District of Columbia select electors to be the authorized participants in each presidential election. The electors cast electoral votes after the general election and officially elect the president and vice president.
Additional Resources
Disclaimer: National Council for the Social Studies has curated these materials to offer helpful teaching strategies and resources for educators. The links posted on this webpage do not represent an endorsement of any organization or product by the association as a whole, its staff, or the members of its board.
#sschat resources
ADL-Discussing Political Violence and Extremism with Students
Civics for All Resource Guide
Civil Discourse in the Classroom
Creating Civic Spaces in Troubling Times
CSPAN: Learning from Previous Presidential Transitions
CSPAN: The History of Contested Presidential Elections
District of Columbia Public Schools
Dr. Alyssa Hadley-Dunn Teaching the Days After
Facing History and Ourselves
Fostering Civil Discourse: A Guide for Classroom Conversations
Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter
iCivics Peaceful Transfer of Power
Illinois Civics
Michigan Council for the Social Studies
Mikva-Attack on Capitol
National Constitution Center
Newseum-Front Pages From Around the Country
PBS
PBS-Structured Academic Controversy
Teaching About Controversial or Difficult Issues
Teaching Tolerance-Civic Disobedience