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"Creating Effective Citizens...One Student At A Time." |
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WHO IS THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL STUDIES?
Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has
grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social
studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and
advocating social studies. With members in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for
elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics,
political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related
education. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local,
and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K-12
classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers
and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various
disciplines that constitute the social studies.
NCSS defines social studies as "the integrated study of the
social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." Within the school
program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such
disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law,
philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as
appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. In
essence, social studies promotes knowledge of and involvement in civic affairs.
And because civic issues--such as health care, crime, and foreign policy--are
multidisciplinary in nature, understanding these issues and developing
resolutions to them require multidisciplinary education. These characteristics
are the key defining aspects of social studies.
The Council published
Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
which provides an articulated K-12 social studies program that serves as a
framework for the integration of other national standards in social studies,
including U.S. and world history, civics and government, geography, global
education, and economics. NCSS standards ensure that an integrated social
science, behavioral science, and humanities approach for achieving academic and
civic competence is available to guide social studies decision makers in K-12
schools.
The NCSS framework consists of ten themes incorporating fields of study that
correspond with one or more relevant disciplines. The organization believes that
effective social studies programs include experiences that provide for the study
of:
 | culture |
| people, places, and environments |
| individuals, groups, and institutions |
| production, distribution, and consumption |
| global connections |
| time, continuity, and change |
| individual development and identity |
| power, authority, and governance |
| science, technology, and society |
| civic ideals and practices |
Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge,
intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of
citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for
the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social
studies educators.
NCSS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
NCSS HOMEPAGE
A Message from the NCSS President, 2007
Notable Trade Books for Young People
