Frequently Asked Questions about Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

1. What is Rho Kappa?

Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. Any accredited public high school or non-secondary school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. NCSS hopes to encourage an interest in, understanding of , and appreciation for the social studies through the creation of Rho Kappa.

2. How did Rho Kappa start?

Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Florida established the first high school social studies honor society which the Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS) used as the basis for the Rho Kappa honor society. The Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS), an affiliate of the NCSS, established Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society in 2000. Prior to FCSS founding Rho Kappa, many national high school honor societies began popping up in various other fields, but not in the social studies.

NCSS saw a need for a national student award program that recognized students for their achievement in required and elective social studies courses. Working off of the FCSS initial idea the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) began Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society in 2011. Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is an entity of the NCSS national office, NCSS staff and its National Advisory Council oversee the Society.

3. What is the mission of Rho Kappa and how is it organized?

Mission

The mission and purpose of this organization is:

• to promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in social studies in secondary school environments and the community.
• to provide through its local chapters opportunities for exploration in the social studies in secondary school environments and the community.
• to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.

Organization

Rho Kappa organization development and direction is overseen by NCSS staff and the National Rho Kappa advisory council.

Rho Kappa is comprised of chapters. Each chapter is made up of:

• students from one or more high schools and
• one or more teachers who serves as the chapter sponsor.

Each chapter is led by student officers who work with the chapter sponsor; together they determine and induct new society members, as well as plan chapter meetings and activities that engage their memberships. Each chapter determines the activities that are appropriate for their own chapter. All chapters register members with NCSS National office and all agree to abide by the national Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society Constitution.

4. Who is eligible to start a Rho Kappa chapter?

Any accredited or approved public or non-public school is eligible to apply for a charter.

5. How can I start a Rho Kappa charter at my school?

A teacher in the field of social studies must serve as the founding chapter sponsor. This person will need to gather a core group of interested teachers and students to discuss the possibility of forming a chapter. Once the decision is made to create the charter the sponsor will need to submit the $150 charter fee and charter application to officially secure the high school's charter. It takes approximately three weeks for the application to be processed. A formal charter is sent to the chapter sponsor. Each high school shall have their own chapter unless there is not a faculty sponsor available. In such instances, one chapter may be shared as long as all other constitutional requirements are met and fulfilled.

6. Who is eligible to become a member of the Rho Kappa National Honor Society?

Candidates for membership should:

1. have been in attendance at the school in which the chapter resides for the equivalent of one semester prior to being considered (If a special circumstances merit, the high school administration may waive this requirement, providing a letter of explanation to the National Advisory Council).
2. have completed two core courses in the field of social studies and be prepared to complete at least three core courses. The minimum GPA for these courses is an unweighted 3.00 or the numerical equivalent.
3. have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or the numerical equivalent (Individual chapters may choose to increase the GPA requirements for their chapter but may not decrease them).

7. What are the fees a chapter must pay?

$150 Charter Fee. Once the decision is made to create the charter the sponsor will need to submit the $150 charter fee and charter application to officially secure his/her high school chapter charter.

$6 Induction Fee per New Member. Induction Certificates may be purchased here.

$75 Charter Renewal fee, due on October 1 of each year

Chapter Advisors may also choose to purchase Lapel Pins and Honor Cords to provide recognition to students during graduation ceremonies. Lapel Pins can be purchased here and Honor Cords can be purchased here.

8. Who should I contact for more information? Please contact rhokappa@ncss.org for more information.