Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion guide the policies, procedures, and educational practices of NCSS as we engage in collaborative action that values differences and includes underrepresented voices to promote a holistic understanding of humanity, cultures, and the world around us. Diversity is the acknowledgment, acceptance, and appreciation of human differences from a broad range of characteristics and traits, including but not limited to race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, language, religion, (dis)ability, age, national origin, ethnicity…

This month, NCSS is preparing its annual call for expertise for members to apply to serve on an Operations Committee. NCSS supports seven current Operations Committees and also appoints interested members to its Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education (FASSE) governing board. NCSS Operations Committees play a vital role in the growth of our association and the health of our profession. Each committee carries out many of the business and organizational functions of our association, based on the goals and values set forth by our Board of Directors. Whether you are a new or veteran…

The Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Awards are a collaboration between NCSS and the Kaur Foundation. These awards are designed to recognize the contributions of outstanding educators and administrators who build safe and welcoming classrooms and communities to safeguard civil rights and promote excellence in education empowering all. The Cultural Literacy Award recognizes a teacher or administrator for their contribution to increasing knowledge of distinct cultural practices and identities, inclusive of the Sikhs, such that students from diverse…

December 5, 2022 Silver Spring, MD -- National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Kaur Foundation are proud to announce three new annual awards to honor social studies teaching and leadership excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The Cultural Literacy Award will recognize a teacher or administrator for their contribution to increasing knowledge of distinct cultural practices and identities, inclusive of the Sikhs, such that students from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate in classrooms and school activities. …

Some important concepts and strategies can help social studies educators teach civics in an inclusive manner when not all students in the classroom are formal citizens.

It’s time to reject historical uniformity and historical integration. Black history has its own historical entry points, historical timelines, and historical perspectives.  

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is a proud member of CivXNow, a coalition of non-partisan organizations dedicated to strengthening civic learning and education. The coalition is led by iCivics, and many members met in California earlier this year for a Civic Learning Impact and Measurement Convening. A report was recently released and shared with all NCSS members to foster conversation around the convening’s major topics. I encourage all members to visit the convening agenda, scan the list of discussion questions and speakers, and read the report. At the bottom of the page, you…

A Current Events Response by National Council for the Social Studies April 17, 2023  It is the vision of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) to realize a world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed civic action. Legislative action in multiple states leading to banned books and limits on what teachers can teach directly threatens this vision. In order for all students to be educated and inspired, NCSS firmly believes that any legislation that limits what can be taught in the social studies classroom is detrimental to all learners. As…

Learning about world religions (as opposed to teaching religious beliefs) as part of social studies can provide a space for students and teachers to have conversations about religious diversity in a respectful, balanced manner. In this article, the authors discuss reading stories and discussing religious diversity as a vehicle to open conversations about religion and diversity, and use the book Lailah’s Lunchbox to provide an example of content and questions teachers can use in their classroom.