NMCSS Home Page
NMCSS Member Opportunities:
What: State National History Date Competition
When: February 4
Where: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
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The New Mexico Council for the Social Studies (NMCSS) provides leadership in the state for improving the teaching of social studies and promoting reasearch in the academic area.
With the goal of improving professional development of social studies teachers in the state, NMCSS works actively to help teachers integrate high state and national standards for all students.
In addition, NMCSS works to facilitate interaction among social studies teachers and educators in other disciplines, recognice excellence in teaching efforts, and encourage the sharing of qualitiy classroom activities and curriculum.
The social studies are key components to our students' overall understandings of the world in which they live, and NMCSS works to build awareness of these concepts among educators, students, parents, and communities.
Using the concept of the "Social Studies Umbrella," CSS includes strands about, but not limited to, anthropology, economics, geography, history, entreprenuership, philosophy, political science, phsychology, and sociology.
NMCSS was founded in 1966 and has been a state affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies since that date. State members recieve information on national activites as part of their as part of their state membership.
NMCSS Member Benefits
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networking with fellow social studies educators, grades K-16+
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ongoing professional development through conferences. workshops, and publications
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sharing a vision for the future of social studies curriculum with other educators
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regular receipt of NMCSS's newsletter which includes organizational news, information about grants and opportunities, and classroom curriculum
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opportunities to influence the communityabd the nation by preparing thoughtful citizens
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updates on the latest developments in state standards, curriculum, and assessment through lieason efforts between the NMCSS Board and the State Department of Education.
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participation in NMCSS's annual conference and exhibits held each fall
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new materials and strategies to teach social studies in a variety if topics and grade levels
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connections with other like-mined professional groups, such as History Day competition, the National Geographic Alliance, etc.
Social Studies in Today’s Classroom
Pat Concannon, NMCSS Executive Director
Social studies education in New Mexico schools is in need of attention. We have seen a decline of the teaching of social studies in the elementary schools since the No Child Left Behind legislation required states to develop plans to ensure that all students meet a proficiency level in reading and math by 2013. This has been a very discouraging issue for social studies educators in that many of us see that the teaching of social studies is the avenue that shows the learning of reading and mathematics by putting the comprehension and application into practice for students.
As a council the social studies has worked with the Public Education Department (PED) and the Legislature, but that work has been limited now without a Social Studies Consultant at the PED and the economic crisis that the state faces, social studies is once again a target for helping to balance the budget. As educators we should not disagree that all should be prepared to assist in this situation, however, the social studies is only part of the 11th grade state assessment so there is no accountability for social studies until high school and if that is now removed, even with a one year moratorium, the value that is communicated is that it is not important. When I consider the importance of the individual in our society and the need for that individual to understand their own importance it seems problematic to devalue the discipline that acknowledges that role.
It is important for all teachers to keep abreast of the changes in education and to speak up and be heard on issues that relate to the overall learning of the students of New Mexico. Please let your voice be heard with your legislators and within the social studies organization.
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