Earlier this year, as I picked up my seven-year-old son from school, we discussed the normal parent questions about the day - "How was today? Did you have fun? What did you learn?" After answering these questions, he let me know that yet again, he didn’t have any social studies that day. He paused, and then asked, “Mom, does that mean that people don’t care about the world?”  His question astounded me. He knows I am passionate about social studies and knows what I do for my “day job,” but his question was beyond knowing these facts. It got to the core of what all social studies educators also wonder. It struck me because he clearly recognized that a lack of attention to social studies meant something. He perceived that other things were prioritized instead of social studies and this sent him the message, intentional or not, that people might not care about the world. My seven-year-old son internalized the marginalization of social studies. He is probably one of many.

The marginalization of social studies is not new, it has been well-documented. Instructional time devoted to social studies has declined significantly since the enactment of No Child Left Behind, particularly in elementary classrooms. Students in marginalized communities also tend to have the least access to social studies. This is an issue of equity.  Students cannot experience high-quality teaching and learning in social studies if time is not prioritized to include it. The issue of time and access to high-quality curriculum are intertwined. In a recent article for Philadelphia Public Schools, Adina Goldstein said it best:

Until social studies is a protected learning period for students, until the state decides it must update and develop thoughtful standards for teaching and learning social studies, until the School District of Philadelphia invests more in its Office of Social Studies, and until professional training in teaching social studies is recognized and adequately valued, we will not be able to truly participate in dismantling systems of oppression in schools. To fight systemic racism, social studies must be a central part of school curriculum.

We also believe social studies is critical to addressing and dismantling systems of oppression in schools across the country. Social studies education has always been critical, but it is needed now, more than ever. But if it is marginalized this cannot be done. We must demand more of our policy and decision-makers, but we must also work to examine our own classroom practices and recognize our role in ensuring what we teach and how we teach it dismantles these systems of oppression.

As an organization, we must work to ensure social studies is a central part of school curriculum to serve as a starting place for dismantling systemic racism. NCSS recently issued a statement condemning the killing of George Floyd and countless other Black people and earlier this year we released a statement in response to Anti-Asian Harassment.  As an organization, we must do more. We will do more. These are starting points.

As NCSS President, I have three main goals this year:

1. Elevating advocacy for social studies;
2. Ensure we listen and lead on issues of racial justice, equity, and inclusion; and
3. A continued focus on high-quality teaching and learning in social studies

As an organization, we will actively work on addressing these goals and call on all social studies educators, or those passionate about ensuring social studies is no longer marginalized, to act as well. It is my profound hope that our work ensures all children have access to high-quality teaching and learning in social studies- this is a must to ensure our mission as a country in working towards creating a more perfect union.

In closing, I am pleased to welcome new board members- Kristin Ayala (CO), Alex Cuenca (IN), Tina Ellsworth (MO), David Kendrick (GA), and Rhonda Watton (WI) and say a huge thank you to outgoing board members- Jesse Haight (PA), Jennifer Hansen (MN), Joe Karb (NY), India Meissel (VA), and Tony Roy (CT). Board members play a vital role in our organization. They serve to elevate your voice and address critical issues in social studies. 

Tweet us @NCSSnetwork or me @srwteacher.