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Education NewsCurrent Education News from NCSS as of 5/14/08; 8:26:59 PM
NCSS Letter to the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Servies and Education Subcommittee
March 6, 2008 In its February, 2008 report, the Center for Education Policy documented a grave consequence of the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB): 72% of districts surveyed are increasing time for language arts or math in elementary schools at the expense of social studies and other subjects. Specifically, 53% of those districts cut instructional time for social studies by at least 75 minutes per week. Inadequate or nonexistent social studies programming at the elementary level compounds the challenges facing our nation≠s secondary schools. Our country needs its citizens to understand their civic responsibilities, and it is important to recognize that young people are taught crucial 21st Century skills, including historical understanding, global awareness, and civic and financial literacy, through their K-12 social studies classes. To that end, NCSS is encouraged by the Administration≠s request for additional funding for administering the National Assessment of Education Progress. We hope this request is honored and results in increased testing, with larger samples, in history, civics, geography, and economics, with data that better informs instructional practice. Other Administration proposals are troublesome to NCSS. Specifically, the request for the Teaching American History (TAH) grant program would cut the initiative by almost $70 million from its FY 2008 level, and no money has been requested for the National History Day Program. The TAH program makes competitive grants to school districts for professional development to strengthen the teaching of traditional American history in elementary and secondary schools, and National History Day is the only program that works with both students and teachers to improve the teaching and learning of history. History is a core component of social studies, and NCSS supports federal investment in improving teachers≠ and students≠ ability to learn about the events and people of this country≠s rich past. We ask that you fund Teaching American History grants at no less than the FY 2008 level of $119.8 million (the proposed level before the across-the-board cut), and National History Day at $5 million. The Administration≠s FY 2009 budget request has once again proposed a number of program eliminations. Thank you for rejecting these proposals in previous budget requests. We request that you and your colleagues reject the Administration≠s current proposal by continuing to oppose zero funding for the following programs. We also ask that you support funding these programs at least at the same level they received in FY 2008: Academies for American History and Civics Close Up Fellowships Arts in Education Civic Education Excellence in Economic Education National Writing Project HEA, Title II, Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants
Cumulatively, these programs help tens of thousands of students and teachers gain important skills and experiences, ultimately producing responsible US citizens. Please do not hesitate to contact NCSS≠s Executive Director, Susan Griffin (301.588.1800 or sgriffin@ncss.org), if you have any questions. Thank you.
NCSS Response to Discussion Draft of Title I of ESEA April 26, 2006: Download a summary of the Senate Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation and Competitiveness hearing on Fostering Innovation in Math and Science Education
2007 NCSS Social Studies Teachers of the Year National Council for the Social Studies has selected the winners of its Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Awards.
The NCSS Social Studies Teachers of the Year awards are presented annually to teachers who demonstrate exceptional abilities: developing or using instructional materials creatively and effectively; incorporating innovative instructional strategies; demonstrating the ability to foster a spirit of enquiry; and encouraging the development of democratic beliefs, values, and skills needed to become effective citizens. One award each is presented annually to a middle level teacher and an elementary teacher. Two secondary teachers are selected annually for the award. The winners for 2007 are:
Elementary co-sponsored by Farmers Insurance.
Middle Level co-sponsored by Scholastic, Inc.
Secondary Level co-sponsored by McDougal Littell
Patricia Wilson
2007 NCSS Election Results Syd Golson, from Scottsdale, Arizona has been elected vice president of NCSS and is in line to assume the presidency in 2009. Syd has been involved in NCSS and state social studies councils for more than 25 years. She served twice previously on the NCSS Board of Directors, was chair of the NCSS Conference Committee and Gender Issues Committee, and was co-chair of the NCSS 2002 Annual Conference Local Arrangements Committee. As a secondary and college teacher for over 20 years, Syd specialized in local and women≠s history. She received Teacher of the Year and Arizona National History Day Teacher of Merit awards, and summer grants to Turkey on a Fulbright, to N.E.H., US Institute of Peace, and Gilder Lehrmann seminars, and to Oxford University. She authored Changing Woman of the Apache and two other books. She is currently Dean of Students at Alhambra High School in inner city Phoenix. The NCSS membership also selected four members for three-year terms on the board of directors: Kim O'Neill, Livepool, NY (elementary representative); Nan Jones, Seneca, SC (secondary representative); Michael Koren, Milwaukee, WI (K-12 classroom teacher at-large); and Bruce Damasio, Towson, MD (at-large). The membership approved two amendments to the NCSS constitution. The first removes the provision to conduct the election by mail ballot and will allow NCSS to examine using the Internet or other means for conducting elections. The second amendment changes the composition of the NCSS House of Delegates to add representatives from the associated groups and NCSS communities. Voters also elected two new members to three-year terms on the governing board of the Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education (FASSE): Theron Trimble of Naples, FL and Steven Seto of Boston, MA. The newly elected leaders will begin their terms on July 1, 2007. Gayle Thieman and Michael Yell will begin their respective terms as NCSS President and President-Elect on the same date. Members of the board who are complete their terms as of June 30 are: Lynne Boyle-Baise, Bloomington, IN; David Faerber, Baton Rouge, LA; Jesus Garcia, Las Vegas, NV Diane Hart, Menlo Park, CA; Michael Koren, Milwaukee, WI; Kelly Palmer, Wayne, OK; and Shelly Singer, Barrington Hills, IL.
NCSS Sends Letter to New Congress January 17, 2007
On behalf of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and its more than 25,000 members, we would like to congratulate you on your election to the 110th Congress and thank you for your service. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues as you address federal policy issues that affect social studies educators over the next two years.
NCSS defines social studies as “the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.” The mission of the Council is to provide leadership, service and support for all social studies educators. These educators provide students with knowledge and historical perspective, intellectual skills and civic values needed to fulfill the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy.
Founded in 1921, NCSS 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 for the 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.
As you are undoubtedly aware, the 110th Congress intends to address the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). It is a law that has had an enormous impact on public education throughout the nation and has brought vital focus to the need to define school wide academic success as success for every child. NCSS wholeheartedly endorses this goal but believes the law can be both strengthened and improved.
Last year, the Center on Education Policy (CEP) released its fourth annual report on the implementation of NCLB. “From the Capital to the Classroom: Year 4 of the No Child Left Behind Act.” Results of the survey on which the report was based indicated that implementation of No Child Left Behind has brought both positive and negative results to schools nationwide. NCSS is particularly troubled by one finding: One-third (33 percent) of school districts surveyed reported reducing time for social studies “somewhat or to a great extent” to make time for reading and math, while 29 percent said they had reduced time for science and 22 percent for art and music. This is clearly an unintended consequence of NCLB and one that deserves the attention of policy makers.
NCSS is concerned that social studies is getting short shrift in the classroom as teachers and administrators focus almost exclusively on achievement test results in math and reading. If American students are to succeed in the global market place of the 21st Century, it is the teaching of social studies, science and other core disciplines that will serve as the means to stimulate interest in academics and prepare students for their roles as citizens.
The National Council for the Social Studies looks forward to working with you and your staff on this important issue during reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as the consideration of other policy matters important to social studies educators.
If we can assist you or your staff as education issues are considered, please do not hesitate to contact Susan Griffin at 301.588.1800, ext. 103 or at sgriffin@ncss.org.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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 National Council for the Social Studies8555 Sixteenth Street Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 |
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