News and Advocacy

Education Brief, Washington Post
March, 18. 2010

Historians speak out against proposed Texas textbook changes
By Michael Birnbaum

Historians on Tuesday criticized proposed revisions to the Texas social studies curriculum, saying that many of the changes are historically inaccurate and that they would affect textbooks and classrooms far beyond the state's borders.   --> read more »

The APA National Standards Working Group has posted the revised National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula (Draft, 2010) for review and comment.   --> read more »

Historian Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States and keynote speaker at the 2008 NCSS Annual Conference, died this week at the age of 87. Following are obituaries from several sources.

• "Howard Zinn, Historian, Dies at 87", New York Times

The NCSS Online Teachers’ Library U.S. History Collection is a new benefit created by your professional organization, NCSS, in response to members’ requests.   --> read more »

"The Constitution is the most important document in our nation's history. It continues to guide and protect each of us in our daily lives more than 200 years after it was drafted. When you freely express or publish your opinions, when you write to your elected officials, when you worship at the church of your choice or when you exercise your right to bear arms, you can do so because of the protections afforded by the Constitution and our founding fathers. As a teacher and lifelong student of government, I believe it is vital for all American students to understand and appreciate the meaning of the Constitution as the foundation for our nation and our government."

A special message to social studies teachers from U.S. Rep. Harry E. Mitchell
Congressional District 5, Arizona
Former Government Teacher, Tempe High School

• NCSS Resources on the US Constitution