Social Studies News and Advocacy
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Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
National Council for the Social Studies is pleased to be part of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools--a coalition of 40 organizations committed to improving the quality and quantity of civic learning in American schools. The Campaign's goal is to increase and improve civic learning in grades K-12 by working for policies that implement the recommendations of the Civic Mission of Schools report.
Civic Mission of Schools Website
Legislative Updates and News
The postmark deadline for the 2010 Teacher of the Year Awards has been extended—the new deadline date is May 21, 2010. There is still time to submit an application! read more »
Posted April 13th, 2010 by TimDaly
The revision of the Texas social studies standards is generating hot debate and strong opinions, and this is no surprise. Because the subjects that compose social studies touch upon cultural, societal and political topics, social studies generates the most controversy when decisions are made regarding what is taught to students. read more »
Posted March 29th, 2010 by TimDaly
In December 2009, Ted McConnell, executive director of Civic Mission of Schools Campaign (CMS), offered the support and resources of CMS to NCSS for a special purpose. Together, we would convene leaders of national organizations in civics, economics, geography, and history to discuss working together to establish Common Core State Standards in Social Studies. read more »
Posted March 17th, 2010 by TimDaly
The Maryland Social Studies Task Force has released a report on social studies education in Maryland. Acknowledging the challenges faced by social studies over the past decade, including the unintended marginalization of social studies disciplines caused by NCLB, the social studies task force made nine recommendations in its report that are “intended to reverse social studies? decline.” Key recommendations include establishing standards governing instructional time; administering a statewide social studies assessment in elementary and middle school; increasing social studies course requirements for prospective teachers; and launching a campaign to gain public support for more and better social studies instruction.
Posted May 7th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
The Maryland Social Studies Task Force has released a report on social studies education in Maryland. Acknowledging the challenges faced by social studies over the past decade, including the unintended marginalization of social studies disciplines caused by NCLB, the social studies task force made nine recommendations in its report that are “intended to reverse social studies? decline.” Key recommendations include establishing standards governing instructional time; administering a statewide social studies assessment in elementary and middle school; increasing social studies course requirements for prospective teachers; and launching a campaign to gain public support for more and better social studies instruction.
Posted May 7th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-After talking with representatives from Goldman Sachs Republicans agreed to debate a financial regulatory reform bill that has been months in the making. Several weeks of debate on a financial services bill makes the likelihood of Congress finding floor time to adopt a Budget Resolution much less likely. read more »
Posted May 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
On Wednesday, April 28, the Senate HELP Committee, Chaired by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) continued its series of hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). read more »
Posted April 30th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Last Wednesday, the Senate Budget Committee convened to mark up FY 2011 budget resolution. The tone of the two-day mark-up made it clear that floor debate and final passage would not be an easy feat in the Senate. read more »
Posted April 29th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
The Civic Mission of Schools Campaign is asking for our help in writing to Congress before May 7th about increasing funding for civic education and changing language in ESEA to address concerns shared by NCSS and social studies educators (see sample letters attached). We have also included for your reference a copy of the recommendations letter submitted by CMS and the one submitted by NCSS. read more »
Posted April 27th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Over the weekend NCSS President-Elect Steven Goldberg was reached for comment and taped on a Channel One News segment regarding the Texas Board of Education revisions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for social studies. read more »
Posted April 12th, 2010 by Ana Post
 John Moore, Associate Professor in the School of Teacher Education at Western Kentucky University has been elected vice president of National Council for the Social Studies. Dr. Moore will begin his term July 1, 2010 and is in line to serve as president of NCSS in 2012. read more »
Posted April 12th, 2010 by TimDaly
Last week, in a last minute effort NCSS contacted its state affiliate, associated group, community and listservs with an urgent request to submit feedback at http://www.corestandards.org/ regarding National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers? draft of the ?Common Core State Standards for English Laguage Arts (ELA) and Literacy in History/Social Studies and Science read more »
Posted April 9th, 2010 by Ana Post
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Even though Members were gone for the week, there were plenty of cherry blossoms and tourists flooding the Capital this week.
-Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced last week that there were only two winners in the first round of the Race to the Top Funding. read more »
Posted April 5th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Capitol Hill is expected to be a pretty quiet place this week. The president’s signing of the healthcare bill and accompanying reconciliation bill allowed exhausted Members and staff to leave for a much needed two-week spring recess. read more »
Posted March 29th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Members were busy this week resolving their differences on the enormous healthcare reform package, as well as redesigning the reconciliation bill that promises new support for K-12 education. read more »
Posted March 26th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Please find attached the Washington Partner’s summary of the hearing held by the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS and ED) Appropriations Subcommittee where Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, appeared as a witness to discuss the Administration?s FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Education.
Posted March 25th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Hearing Brief
Please find attached the Washington Partner’s summary of the hearing which took place yesterday in the House Committee on Education and Labor on the Administration?s ESEA Reauthorization Blueprint.
Posted March 18th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
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 »
Posted March 18th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Hearing Brief
On Wednesday, March 17 the House Subcommittee on LHHS, chaired by Congressman David Obey (D-WI) held its first oversight hearing on the Administration?s proposed FY 2011 budget for the Department of Education. Attached please find the Washington Partner’s summary of this hearing.
Posted March 18th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
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 »
Posted March 17th, 2010 by TimDaly
Please find attached the Washington Partner’s summary of an event which was held on Monday, March 15 at the Brookings Institution. The event was held to release a new report by the Brown Center on Education Policy onteacher quality titled, America?s Teacher Corps. read more »
Posted March 17th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, OrlandoSentinel
March 15, 2010
“More civics education needed, advocates say”
Florida lawmakers are listening and may require more classes ? and testing ? on the subject
By Leslie Postal, Orlando Sentinel read more »
Posted March 17th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, Education Week
March 13, 2010
By Alyson Klein
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has released broad principles for renewing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that seek to address perennial complaints that the law?s current version?the No Child Left Behind Act?is inflexible and doesn?t set a high enough bar for academic achievement. read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, USA Today
March 13, 2010
By Greg Toppo read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, New York Times
March 13, 2010
By SAM DILLON
The Obama administration on Saturday called for a broad overhaul of President George W. Bush?s No Child Left Behind law, proposing to reshape divisive provisions that encouraged instructors to teach to tests, narrowed the curriculum, and labeled one in three American schools as failing. read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Healthcare is still a heavy subject on Capitol Hill. The president announced last week he was postponing his trip to Asia in hopes that the Democrats could get the votes they need to pass the healthcare bill. read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, Education Week
By Catherine Gewertz
The first public draft of grade-by-grade common standards, released this morning, is being greeted with a mix of praise and skepticism, illustrating both the mounting consensus that the country needs to set higher expectations for all students and the many problems that complicate their adoption. read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, New York Times
By SAM DILLON
A panel of educators convened by the nation?s governors and state school superintendents proposed a uniform set of academic standards on Wednesday, laying out their vision for what all the nation?s public school children should learn in math and English, year by year, from kindergarten to high school graduation. read more »
Posted March 15th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
On Monday, March 8, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the Department of Education’s final priorities for the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund (i3). Please find attached a summary of these final regulations.
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Education Brief, The Washington Post
By Nick Anderson
Wednesday, March 10, 2010; 11:39 AM
The nation’s governors and state schools chiefs proposed standards Wednesday for what students should learn in English and math, from kindergarten through high school, a crucial step in President Obama’s campaign to raise academic standards across the country. read more »
Posted March 10th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Jobs and Healthcare took center stage in Washington this week, with the Senate taking action on a small but important bill that the House then expanded and adopted. This is the first in a series of jobs bills designed to spur economic growth that will dominate legislative conversation in the Capitol for many months–that and healthcare. read more »
Posted March 8th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached is a Washington Partner’s summary of the highlights of a report released yesterday by Achieve called, Closing the Expectations Gap. This is the fifth annual report on the progress of high school reform efforts in all 50 states.
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The quiet hum of staff meetings, catching up and preparing that enveloped Capitol Hill last week was replaced by a frenzy, hearings, posturing, reporters and numerous constituent meetings this week. read more »
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find a summary of today’s House Budget Committee hearing that featured testimony from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan regarding the Administration’s K-12 education reform efforts, higher education program proposals and the FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Education.
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1.Budget and Appropriations
-This week marked the President’s Day recess week on Capitol Hill. It was a good time for Members to be home as the frozen remnants of back-to-back storms frustrated commuters trying to move in and around the Nation’s Capitol. read more »
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress found itself frozen out this week as the federal government closed for an unprecedented four out of five days. This did not stop the Senate from trying to come up with a jobs bill that would show the public they do know what the number one concern of the Nation might be, and that they can actually play well with others. read more »
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Bright and early Monday morning, President Obama submitted his first full-fledged budget request tot he U.S. Congress.
-The FY 2011 budget which came in at a $3.8 trillion in spending revealing the President’s spending priorities across all federal agencies and a proposed freeze on domestic discretionary spending for the next three years. read more »
Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education have teamed up to launch the National Financial Capability Challenge for 2010.
The Challenge is an initiative designed to engage educators in the teaching of personal finance, and to increase the financial knowledge and capability of high school aged youth across the United States so they can take control over their financial futures. All high school teachers (and other educators) are encouraged to sign up, prepare their students, and administer the voluntary online exam to help reach the goal of 1 million high school students taking the Challenge this year. Educators and top-scoring students in each school will earn personalized award certificates and states with the highest participation rates will also be recognized.
read more »
Posted February 11th, 2010 by TimDaly
On Monday, February 1, President Barack Obama released the Administration?s FY 2011 budget request. While the $3.8 trillion budget proposes a three-year spending freeze across the federal government, defense and education investments would see a modest increase. The attached provides an overview of the FY 2011 Budget request for K-12 education.
Posted February 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-This week was all about the President’s first State of the Union Address and his highly anticipated FY 2011 budget request.
-The Administration previewed the speech’s contents, and some of its budget plans. The announced intentions to freeze spending levels for most of the federal government spared education programs. read more »
Posted February 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find the Washington Partner’s summary of Wednesday January 27, 2010 AEI event, ?Education Reform: Reviewing the Obama Administration’s First Year.?
Posted February 3rd, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
Posted February 2nd, 2010 by TimDaly
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. read more »
Posted January 29th, 2010 by TimDaly
2010 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Event Brief
Prepared by:
Della Cronin (dcronin@wpllc.net)
Washington Partners, LLC
January 28, 2010 read more »
Posted January 28th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
ISSUE BRIEF
FY 2011 Budget
JANUARY 25, 2009
Prepared by:
Jenn Castagna, Vice President
Washington Partners, LLC
jcastagna@wpllc.net read more »
Overview
Posted January 27th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
ISSUE BRIEF
School Improvement Grants
Interim Final Guidance
JANUARY 21, 2010
Prepared by:
Ellen Fern
Washington Partners, LLC
efern@wpllc.net read more »
Overview
Posted January 25th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Approriations
-The Republican victory in the race for the Senate seat of the late Senator Edward Kennedy sent shock waves throughout Capitol Hill and the White House last week. This will if it has not already made a huge impact on the White House and Congress’ next steps. read more »
Posted January 25th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Members of the House of Representatives returned to Washington this week, the Senate will not be back until January 20.
-President Obama has urged the Congress to pass the Healthcare legislation before he makes his State of the Union Address later this month or in early February. read more »
Posted January 20th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations read more »
Posted January 20th, 2010 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The House of Representatives adopted an Omnibus spending plan for FY 2010. The package included a bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and human Services and Education.
-The bill provides $67 billion in discretionary spending-a 5% increase over FY 2009. read more »
Posted December 16th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On December 10, 2009, the House of Representatives adopted an Omnibus spending plan for FY 2010. The package included a bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. The Omnibus bill was then passed by the Senate on December 13, 2009, and is awaiting the signature of the President. read more »
Posted December 14th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find a summary of Tuesday December 8. 2009 ED Stakeholder meeting. The topic for ED?s last Stakeholder Forum on issues relating to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) focused on college- and career-ready graduates.
Posted December 14th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached is the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies letter on Common Core Standards that has been sent to Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director of the CCSSO.
Posted December 14th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Tuesday, December 8, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing to learn more about states’ efforts to help improve the nation’s competitiveness by adopting a common core of college and career readiness standards. The hearing focused on the Common Core Standards Initiative and its progress and promise. Attached please find a summary of the hearing.
Posted December 9th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached is a summary of the final requirements for the $3.546 billion School Improvement Grants (SIGs) made available from the combined American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations funds. Secretary Duncan announced the release on Thursday, December 3.
Posted December 9th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Monday, November 30, 2009 the Coalition for Community Schools (CCS) hosted a webinar sponsored by The Institute for Educational Leadership titled, “Race to the Top: The Implications for Community Oriented Schools.” The discussion focused on how the core functions and services of community schools can help states achieve the goals enumerated in the Race to the Top (RTT) guidelines. read more »
Posted December 8th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Members of Congress returned to Washington after an unexpectedly brief Thanksgiving Recess to be confronted with a legislative calendar that includes “working weekends” through Christmas Eve.
-In the Senate the culprit is a massive healthcare reform bill that will require weeks of debate. read more »
Posted December 8th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached is a copy of the letter the Florida Council for the Social Studies sent to Gene Wilhoit at the Council of Chief State School Officers on the proposed new Core Curriculum Standards from the National Government. If you would like to see these Core Curriculum Standards you can visit the web site at www.corestandards.org/
Posted December 1st, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find a summary of Friday November 20th, ED Stakeholder meeting. The topic for this latest in their series of Stakeholder Forums on issues to consider during the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act focused on divers
Posted December 1st, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached is a summary of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education?s November 19 hearing to review existing federal literacy initiatives and explore strategies for improving the reading comprehension skills of all children from birth through high school. read more »
Posted December 1st, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-This week, once again, healthcare was the topic of press conferences and scoring efforts and predictions related to the Congressional schedule. While important, the intersection with the stalled reconciliation bill is of particular interest to the education community. read more »
Posted November 30th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Monday November 16th, the Institute of International Education (IIE) presented their annual Open Doors 2009 report at a press event at the National Press Club. The event marked the beginning of the 10th annual International Education Week, collaboration between the U.S. Departments of State and Education that promotes and celebrates the benefits of international education worldwide. read more »
Posted November 30th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations read more »
Posted November 30th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find the Washington Partner’s summary of the Race to the Top’s (RTT) final application guidance. The $4.35 billion RTT will reward states that have raised student performance in the past and have the capacity to accelerate achievement gains with innovative reforms. Two rounds of competition for the grants will be held with the first round having a due date of January 19, 2010.
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Monday, November 9, the U.S. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Mid-term elections and healthcare continued to dominate the political landscape this week on Capitol Hill. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Please find attached a memo detailing this week’s meeting of the President?s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. Also attached are the recommendations put forward by the Advisory Council in its annual reports as attachments for the memo. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Wednesday, November 4, the Department of Education (ED) hosted its fourth in a planned series of forums that focus on the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The topic for this meeting was ?Measuring Progress and Creating Systems of Continuous Improvement.?Attached please find a summary of the event.
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Thursday, House Democrats lined the steps of the Capitol to unveil a healthcare reform proposal that will be the subject of intense debate for the next two weeks.
-Across the Capitol, Senate leaders were engaged in the same task. The target date for the Senate debate is mid-November. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Please find attached a summary of a briefing held by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). In addition to sharing highlights from their new report titled, Reform at a Crossroads: A Call for Balanced Systems of Assessment and Accountability, panelists discussed the need to rethink the way American students are evaluated and how schools are held accountable. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
On Wednesday, the Department of Education (ED) hosted its third in a planned series of forums that focus on the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The topic for this meeting was “Promoting Innovation and Rethinking the Federal Role.” Attached please find a summary of the meeting.
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Halloween is still a week away, but already the pranks are getting a little scary on Capitol Hill. read more »
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Jere Brophy, Distinguished Professor of teacher education and educational psychology at Michigan State University and long-time NCSS member died October 15. He was 69 years old. Brophy was a leader in the field of teacher education, and was known for his pioneering research on effective teaching. In 2006, Brophy and Janet Alleman were awarded the NCSS Exemplary Research in Social Studies Award for their research on K-3 students? thinking about social studies topics in their book Children’s Thinking About Cultural Universals.
“As a young teacher in the seventies and eighties, his scholarly work on teacher effects was my first introduction to the applicability of research to the classroom, and greatly influenced my teaching”, wrote Michael Yell, middle school social studies teacher and NCSS Past President. “Professor Brophy’s influence will continue to be felt in social studies classrooms thoughout the country.”
read more »
Posted October 20th, 2009 by TimDaly
1. Budget and Appropriations
-With a lot of disagreement in the Senate over the annual appropriation bills, it has become clear that the Senate would likely have to extend the current continuing resolution into November. It has also become clear that the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill has little chance of seeing daylight anytime soon. read more »
Posted October 20th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
After much discussion and deliberation, the California Council for the Social Studies has adopted a policy and is sending letters to the Governor of California, CA State Supt. of Public Instruction, Gene Wilhoit of CCSSO, and Dane Linn from the NGA’s Center for Best Practices in support of the Common Core Standards for Social Studies. read more »
Posted October 13th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress inched a little closer to completing work on the FY 2010 budget this week. An agriculture spending bill was passed and sent to the President for his signature. read more »
Posted October 13th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The healthcare debate continued to dominate the activity on Capitol Hill last week. The House under Nancy Pelosi revised the comprehensive bill to be readied for floor action in mid-October. The Senate last announced that they intended to debate healthcare reform before the end of the month. read more »
Posted October 7th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find the latest WP update that provides an overview of this week’s release of official draft mathematics and English language arts standards by the Common Core Standards Initiative, community reaction and expected next steps.
Posted September 29th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Progress on the remaining eight appropriations bills was slow this week. Only one bill crossed the finish line.
-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid acknowledged for the first time that a continuing resolution would be necessary at the end of September to maintain government operations; and that the Senate would most likely give up its October Recess. read more »
Posted September 29th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The mood in Washington this week was “cranky.” Healthcare reform dominated the conversation and there appears to be little consensus about how to move legislation forward.When the Congress was not debating healthcare reform, they tried to make progress on the FY 2010 budget. read more »
Posted September 29th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress returned to the nation’s Capitol on Tuesday, ready to tackle a packed agenda in a very short legislative calendar.
-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was quick to announce Senator Tom Harkin as successor to Kennedy as Chairman of the Health, Educatiion, Labor and Pensions Committee. read more »
Posted September 15th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
"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 read more »
Posted September 14th, 2009 by TimDaly
Overview
There has been much said and written about the Department of Education?s (ED) plans for
spending $100 billion. While ARRA makes a historic investment in education, most of the
money flows directly to States via the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) and established
formula programs. This unprecedented amount of new federal funding directed to the States for read more »
Posted September 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Attached please find an Issue Brief outlining the information Secretary Duncan and Assistant Deputy Secretary Shelton shared on the i3 program.
Posted September 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Posted September 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Info below is from ISTE and CSPAN
Frank Baker
President Barack Obama to Make Historic Speech to America’s Students
C-SPAN and White House Web Site to Broadcast Speech Live
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
September 8, 2009
12 p.m.20Eastern Time
9 a.m. Pacific Time read more »
Posted September 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
During this last week of the August Congressional recess, on Wednesday, the Aspen Institute?s Commission on No Child Left Behind emerged from its long hiatus to hold its first in a series of public hearings, which will build upon the Commission?s February 2007 recommendations for improving the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). read more »
Posted September 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1.Budget and Appropriations
-Even though Congress is in recess, the House Education and Labor Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee staff are expected to work on the budget reconciliation legislation this month. read more »
Posted August 7th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The Senate took center stage on education funding last week. Tuesday the Appropriations Subcommittee on labor, Health and Human Services and Education met to mark-up a bill making appropriations for those agencies for FY 2010. The overall spending is $300 million less than the amount proposed in the House measure adopted last week. read more »
Posted August 4th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1.Budget and Appropriations
-The full house passed the FY 2010 House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act with a vote of 264-153.
-The action now turns to the Senate where the LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to mark up its final FY 2010 bill on Tuesday, July 28. The full Committee then meets on the 30th if everything goes as planned. read more »
Posted July 27th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by TimDaly
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The House Appropriations Committee met to approve the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill for FY 2010.
-The outcome for education was as expected: an increase in overall spending of approximately three percent.
-There was mixed news for President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: read more »
Posted July 22nd, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
Our dear friend and colleague, Marcia Gerran passed away July 12, 2009. Marcia worked in the NCSS membership department since 1990 and along with processing almost every membership application sent to NCSS, answered thousands of member phone calls and emails each year. She was often the first personal contact with NCSS for many of our members and her sunny, calm professionalism and sense of humor never failed to create a positive impression. Each fall, many of those whom Marcia helped would seek her out at the NCSS Conference to meet her. As a way of honoring Marcia and remembering her bright presence at the conference, Marcia’s colleagues at NCSS have contributed in her name to the NCSS Conference Scholarship Fund, a program set up to assist young social studies professionals to attend the annual conference.
Marcia’s contribution to NCSS went far beyond her work with our members. Her kindness, generosity, and ability to find humor in any situation brightened our office and made even our busiest days easier. She seemed always to have a smile on her face, a kind word on her lips, and a laugh close by. The lives of those of us who were privileged to know and work with Marcia are richer because of it, and we miss her greatly.
Posted July 21st, 2009 by TimDaly
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) announces its public review period for the Social Studies-History Standards. The standards were developed by a committee of educators from the social studies/history field. Practicing classroom teachers fill a majority of seats on standards committees with other members representing districts, states and higher education.
read more »
Posted July 20th, 2009 by TimDaly
1.Budget and Appropriations
-Money, money, money-that was all that appeared to be on the minds of legislators on Capitol Hill this week. read more »
Posted July 10th, 2009 by Kristen Pekarek
1. Budget and Appropriations
-It has been quiet on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress are on their week-long July 4th Recess, but face a daunting number of tasks to complete once they return including: Passing the remaining appropriations bills, healthcare reform hearings, confiming a Supreme Court Justice and other key appointments to the Obama Administration. read more »
Posted July 2nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1.Budget and Appropriations
-Congress was hard at work this week, making progress on appropriations bills, healthcare reform and climate change legislation. read more »
Posted June 29th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
Appropriators moved into high gear to get the ball rolling on the FY 2010 budget. This sparked much controversy from both sides. read more »
Posted June 22nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Important step: 302B allocations (specific instructions on spending parameters for federal agencies) handed down to subcommittees.
-House LHHS allocates $160.65 billion for FY 2010 (5% increase from 2009)
-Senate LHHS allocation forthcoming
-Ranking Republican on House Ed and Labor Committee steps down—replacement to be selected next week read more »
Posted June 22nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
June 17, 2009 the Center on Education Policy held a press conference to present CEP’s latest report on achievement since the enactment of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). read more »
Posted June 22nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Posted June 18th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Cranky tone in Congress after returning from Memorial Day recess; controversial debate centered on healthcare and the President’s supreme court nominee. read more »
Posted June 10th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress spent week in Memorial Day recess.
-Secretary Duncan set to meet with the Senate, Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittees next week.
-Much work to do when they return in order to reach their goal of passing all 12 FY2010 appropriations spending bills before the August recess. read more »
Posted June 1st, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
See attached below for your reference a two-page summary from WP of the House Education and Labor Committee?s hearing titled, ?The Obama Administration?s Education Agenda,? where Secretary of Education Arne Duncan served as the only witness.
Outline of attachment: read more »
- Committee’s opening statements
- Duncan’s testimony
Posted May 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Consumed with the $90 billion supplemental spending bill for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, action on the FY 2010 budget was postponed until after the Memorial Day recess. read more »
Posted May 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Education community digested and began to respond to the release of the Obama Administration’s detailed FY 2010 budget proposal last week (see 5/8 ed report and chart for details)
-Despite overall increased ed spending, notable criticism and concern has emerged around spending freezes and transitions to competitive grant based funding for longtime ed programs. read more »
Posted May 18th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
See attached below a comprehensive chart from Washington Partners on the FY 2010 education funding details that were released by the administration during the first week in May. The chart also includes stimulus funding information.
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The release of the Obama Administration’s detailed FY 2010 budget request was the big news of the week.
-Promising news for education on the heels of stimulus funding, with $58.5 billion requested for education reform programs read more »
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
NCSS is seeking candidates for Vice-President, and the Board of Directors. Nominees are also needed for the Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education (FASSE) board. You may nominate yourself, or recommend a colleague member who has experience as an affiliate council or associated group leader. Recommendations may be sent to any member of the nominations committee. read more »
Posted May 6th, 2009 by TimDaly
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Specter (R-PA) joins the democrats which might mean, with the conclusion of the Minnesota case, that they will reach the magic filibuster proof # of 60 by early summer. read more »
Posted May 6th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Posted April 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress returns to take up the FY 2010 Budget conference read more »
Posted April 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
 Sue Blanchette, US. history teacher at Hillcrest High School in Dallas Texas was elected vice-president of NCSS. As vice president, Blanchette is in line to assume the NCSS presidency July 2011.
read more »
Posted April 24th, 2009 by TimDaly
Highlights under each section of the attached report include:
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress is out of town for the second week of the spring recess
-When they return the focus will shift back to resolving the differences between the FY 2010 House and Senate Budget Resolutions. read more »
Posted April 20th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Posted April 16th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Highlights under each section of the attached report include:
1. Budget and Appropriations
-House and Senate passed FY 2010 Budget Resolutions along party lines—this will amount to an 8 percent increase in domestic spending and major gains for education. read more »
Posted April 16th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Pleased be advised, *the bullets below only provide a rough outline and are not intended as a substitute for the report (attached). NCSS strongly encourages you to read the refined report which will offer a more complete picture of recent events on Capitol Hill from the professionals at Washington Partners. read more »
Posted March 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
NCSS is pleased to share the attached brief memo from Washington Partners on the introduction of S.659—a bill to improve the teaching and learning of American history and civics—by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) on Thursday, March 19. read more »
Posted March 24th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Pleased be advised, *the bullets below only provide a rough outline and are not intended as a substitute for the report (attached). NCSS strongly encourages you to read the refined report which will offer a more complete picture of recent events on Capitol Hill from the professionals at Washington Partners. read more »
Posted March 24th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Pleased be advised, *the bullets below only provide a rough outline and are not intended as a substitute for the report (attached). NCSS strongly encourages you to read the refined report which will offer a more complete picture of recent events on Capitol Hill from the professionals at Washington Partners. read more »
Posted March 16th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Visit the Department of Education’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act website (http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html) for information on how funds allocated for education via the stimulus package will be distributed and guidance on how schools can access them.
Posted March 12th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Highlights under each section of the attached report include:
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Despite the coming of the March 6th deadline (today!) when the continuing resolution on FY 2009 appropriations was set to expire, the Senate could not reach an agreement on the FY 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill that passed in the House last week. read more »
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Late last week, leaders in the Oklahoma CSS caught wind of a troubling development for the social studies in their state. The Oklahoma State Senate Committee on Education created a substitute bill calling for the elimination of required social studies assessments for grades 5 and 8 that were included in the bill’s original version. read more »
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Highlights under each section of the attached report include:
1. Budget and Appropriations
-The Ed. world anxiously awaits details of how the Ed. department intends to distribute stimulus funds. read more »
Posted March 2nd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
See attached a summary from Washington Partners of the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed in the House 2/25. read more »
Posted February 27th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Posted February 24th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Side-by-Side Comparative Chart: first House bill / Senate bill / final Conference Agreement
To get a clearer sense of specific changes in recent weeks, please also see the attached side-by-side comparison of provisions related to education in: read more »
- The original proposal passed by the House
- The package that passed in the Senate after the Nelson-Collins cuts
Posted February 17th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Education Report for February 13, 2009 read more »
Posted February 17th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
The Forum for Education and Democracy is launching a national web-based campaign that challenges all Americans to transform the optimism of the election season into the promise of collective action to improve public education. A short web film, an homage to the “Yes We Can” campaign film, sets in motion a national petition drive in which all signers commit to work with President Obama to honor four promises that must be fulfilled if we are serious about supporting young people and public schools: 1) Every child deserves a 21st Century education; 2) Every community deserves an equal chance; 3) Every child deserves a well-supported teacher; and 4) Every child deserves high-quality health care. To encourage action on the local level, the Forum provides a list of easy steps people can undertake individually and at the community level in support of each promise.
Read more, view the petition and film: http://www.willwereally.com/ read more »
Posted February 15th, 2009 by TimDaly
I. Stimulus Update Memo
Please see attached a memo from Washington Partners providing an update on the efforts of the Congress to put together and approve an economic stimulus package since Friday 2/6. The Senate was hard at work this weekend putting together a compromise bill, brokered by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Susan Collins (R-ME), that may win passage early this week. read more »
Posted February 9th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Be sure to make use of the bookmarks at the beginning of the attached report to help navigate your areas of interest. Highlights under each section include:
1. Budget and Appropriations
-Contentious debate in Senate over economic stimulus
-Hopes for final passage on Thursday fall through and debate will continue read more »
Posted February 9th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
NCSS was recently informed by officers in the Massachusetts CSS of plans to eliminate or delay required History and Social Science Exams for 10th graders in their state. read more »
Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
This week, NCSS President Mike Yell and Executive Director Susan Griffin voiced the social studies agenda in the attached “Welcome Letter” that went out to every member of the new Congress. read more »
Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
I. Education Report for January 23rd from Washington Partners.
Be sure to make use of the bookmarks at the beginning of the attached report to help navigate your areas of interest. Highlights under each section include: read more »
- Budget and Appropriations
-Despite tone of inauguration, struggle for consensus on stimulus package consumes Congress
Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Please see attached the Education Report for January 9th from Washington Partners.
Be sure to make use of the bookmarks at the beginning of the attached report to help navigate your areas of interest. Highlights under each section include: read more »
- Budget and Appropriations
Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Please find attached a four page summary from Washington Partners of Arne Duncan’s confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education.
Discussion topics included:
-Full Funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
-Duncan’s three major goals as Sec. of Education read more »
Posted January 14th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Please see attached an informative memo from Washington Partners that looks ahead to the work of the 111th Congress, focusing on education-related legislation that may be taken up and likely key education policy issues that may be of interest to NCSS.
See bullets below for the structure and highlights of the report:
I. General Overview
-Rundown of the makeup of the new Congress read more »
Posted January 7th, 2009 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the attached background sketch from Washington Partners of President-elect Obama’s selection for Secretary of Education—the current Superintendent of Chicago public schools Arne Duncan.
Posted December 17th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see attached the Education Report for December 12th from Washington Partners.
Be sure to make use of the bookmarks at the beginning of the attached report to help navigate your areas of interest. Highlights under each section include: read more »
- Budget and Appropriations
Posted December 17th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see attached below the Education Report for December 5th from Washington Partners. Be sure to make use of the bookmarks at the beginning of the attached report to help navigate your areas of interest. Highlights under each section include:
- Budget and Appropriations
-uncertainty over President-Elect’s selection of the new Secretary of Education read more »
Posted December 8th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
NCSS recently sent the attached letter to the chairmen of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee encouraging them, as they work toward finalizing the FY 2009 budget, to adequately invest in programs of interest and importance to social studies educators.
Posted December 5th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the attached Legislative Watch List, a biweekly publication from Washington Partners that gives an overview of of legislation relating to education currently being considered by Congress. read more »
Posted December 5th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Greetings to All! We are back from Houston where we had another tremendous conference and back from Thanksgiving where we enjoyed family, friends, and food.
Just wanted you to know that Mike Yell and I sent the following letter to the Obama Transition Team to introduce them to National Council for the Social Studies and a few of our priorities. read more »
Posted December 2nd, 2008 by Susan Griffin
Washington Partners has provided us with another extremely useful resource for looking ahead to advocacy in the next Congress. Be sure to take a minute to scan through the brief bios of newly elected members of Congress in the attached report.
These background summaries place particular emphasis on: read more »
their stance on education
Posted November 17th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
See attached reports from Washington Partners on the results of the elections as they pertain to the prospects for education in the next congress and administration: read more »
- A summary that outlines changes Congress, provides a quick overview of Obama’s plans for education and includes a chart of important races in the House and Senate.
Posted November 6th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Attached below is a Review of the Legislative Achievements and Efforts of the 110th Congress as they relate to the interests and concerns of NCSS courtesy of Washington Partners. The report is divided into two parts:
I. Education Legislation enacted by the 110th Congress, including: read more »
Posted November 6th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the attached Education Report for October 17, courtesy of Washington Partners.
Highlights to examine include: read more »
- Appropriations— the economic crisis continues to be Congress’ main focus
Posted October 20th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see below letters sent to each presidential candidate expressing NCSS’ views, priorities and concerns on issues that will be considered by the next administration.
We look forward to working with the new administration and will continue to advocate for the interests and concerns of NCSS members after the election.
Posted October 14th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the Education Report for October 10, courtesy of Washington Partners below. Highlightsinclude: read more »
- Appropriations—Looking ahead to negotiations over education funding for Fiscal Year 2009
-Next stage: conference committee meetings to come up with a comprehensive spending plan
-When can we expect this to be announced?
Posted October 14th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Of potential interest in this week’s Education Watch List from Washington Partners:
I. Emphasis on after school programs and expanded learning opportunities read more »
- S.CON.RES. 104— A joint resolution supporting “Lights on After School”
- H.R. 7127— A bill authorizing the ED secretary to create grants to put the Total Learning Curriculum into use.
Posted October 10th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the attached letter below sent to the Department of Ed. that expresses NCSS’ perspective on plans for the the implementation of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. The letter places a particular emphasis on programs in Title II that focus on enhancing teacher preparation. read more »
Posted October 10th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
See the Education Report for October 3, 2008, courtesy of Washington Parters.
Highlights include: read more »
- Appropriations—Congress consumed with the bail out crisis.
-President signs continuing resolution (CR) to extend current funding through March
Posted October 6th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Officers and members of the California CSS convened, in the company of State Assemblyman Gene Mullin, to voice their concerns about the narrowing of the curriculum and to advocate for the inclusion of the social studies during the annual CACSS conference in the spring. read more »
Posted September 29th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
See the attached Education Report for September 26, 2008, courtesy of Washington Parters.
Highlights to examine include: read more »
- Appropriations Crisis—Congress scrambles to pass a continuing resolution (CR) so that federal funding can be extended
-What will funding of education in CR be?
Posted September 29th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
The Legislative Watch List courtesy of Washington Partners gives an overview of current legislation in the Congress relating to education.
The laundry list is particularly long this week. The continuing resolution (CR) that would extend government appropriations into the spring is, of course, at the top of the list. read more »
Posted September 26th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Please see the Education Report for September 19, 2008, below courtesy of Washington Parters for insight into the current public policy debate surrounding education and an update on the current situation in Congress. read more »
Posted September 22nd, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
See the attached Education Report for September 12, 2008, courtesy of Washington Parters for insight into the current public policy debate relating to education and into what the Congress has been up to since returning from their six week recess. read more »
Posted September 15th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
Below is a report from Washington Partners on an event held by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to discuss the role of Assessments in American education, an issue of great interest to the social studies agenda. Speakers who attended and shared their views included U.S. read more »
Posted September 15th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
NCSS was recently contacted by the National Geographic Society regarding the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act, HR 1228.? This is a bill that NCSS has promoted on Capitol Hill and for which NCSS has helped secure many co-sponsors. The?act would ensure federal support for geography comparable to the eight other core academic subjects identified by the No Child Left Behind Act. read more »
Posted September 8th, 2008 by TimDaly
NCSS was recently contacted by the National Geographic Society regarding the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act, HR 1228.? This is a bill that NCSS has promoted on Capitol Hill and for which NCSS has helped secure many co-sponsors. The?act would ensure federal support for geography comparable to the eight other core academic subjects identified by the No Child Left Behind Act. read more »
Posted September 8th, 2008 by TimDaly
As noted in recent Education Reports, the 110th Congress passed what will probably end up being one of the only major pieces of education legislation in its tenure when it approved the Higher Education Opportunity Act in late July. The 1,200 page Bill has a long list of implications on many different aspects of Higher Education. read more »
Posted August 14th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
This Week in Washington, a weekly publication of WPLLC, provides an overview of upcoming events in Washington D.C. affecting American Education. Be sure to direct your attention to the following “Bills to Watch” of particular interest to NCSS in the attached report: read more »
- The Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act (S. 3334):
Posted August 12th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
The Education Report, a weekly publication of WPLLC, provides an executive summary
of public policy issues affecting American education. After selecting the attachment, you may navigate the report based on the areas of interest below: read more »
- Budget and Appropriations
- In Brief
- New Publications
- In the News
- About WPLLC
Posted August 11th, 2008 by Ben McClenahan
 The Association of Educational Publishers (also known as EdPress) has named “From Banished to Brother Outsider, Miss Navajo to An Inconvenient Truth: Documentary Films as Perspective-Laden Narratives” best article in the learned category published in an educational periodical. read more »
Posted August 10th, 2008 by TimDaly
Thanks to the generosity of ABC-CLIO and the University of South Florida College of Education, NCSS is pleased to announce that podcasts of selected keynote and featured sessions from the 2007 NCSS Annual Conference are available for download from iTunes U. read more »
Posted August 10th, 2008 by TimDaly
The NCSS Standards Revision Task Force is continuing it’s work on updating the NCSS Curriculum Standards for Social Studies and needs your input. Please see http://communities.ncss.org/standardsrevision for an update on the work of the task force, drafts of updates, and to provide feedback and comments to the task force.
Posted August 10th, 2008 by TimDaly
NCSS President Gayle Thieman and Past President Peggy Altoff articulate the devastating impact of NCLB on social studies teaching in an article published in the District Administration March 2008 issue. read more »
Posted August 10th, 2008 by TimDaly
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p>Contact your Congressional Representatives to request that funding for NAEP assessments assures that those related to NCLB-designated core social studies content areas are administered according to read more »
Posted March 21st, 2008 by TimDaly
Today?s Social Studies?Creating Effective Citizens.
That?s what we do, and our task is essential to maintaining an effective democracy. However, not everyone understands this. When this message is understood, students will benefit, schools will have greater support, and social studies teachers and other educators will find their job more rewarding. read more »
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