May is Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Heritage Month. Celebrate by joining Asian Americans Advancing Justice for one of their two-hour webinars to support the implementation of the T.E.A.A.C.H. Act.

With its historic passage in April of 2021, the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (T.E.A.A.C.H.) Act amended Illinois School Code, ensuring every public elementary and high school student in Illinois learns about the contributions of Asian Americans to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States.

The Illinois Civics Hub is partnering with Asian Americans Advancing Justice to offer FREE PD hours to K-12 educators looking to deepen their own understanding of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) history as well as classroom resources to support cross-cultural education for all students in Illinois aligned with the revised social science standards.

Educators can click the links below to choose from the following webinar opportunities:

• 5/17-  Teaching about the Asian American Experience: A Primer for Secondary 6-12
• 5/18-  Teaching about the Asian American Experience: A Primer for Secondary 6-12
• 5/22-  Teaching about the Asian American Experience: A Primer for Elementary K-5

Be sure to visit the Asian Americans Advancing Justice site for more resources to implement the T.E.A.A.C.H. Act.

May is also Jewish American Hertiage Month. The White House Proclamation explains:

This month, we celebrate the enduring heritage of Jewish Americans, whose values, culture, and contributions have shaped our character as a Nation. For generations, the story of the Jewish people — one of resilience, faith, and hope in the face of adversity, prejudice and persecution — has been woven into the fabric of our Nation’s story. It has driven us forward in our ongoing march for justice, equality, and freedom as we recommit to upholding the principles of our Nation’s founding and realizing the promise of America for all Americans.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. These organizations have curated classroom resources to weave into instruction to make Jewish American History "more than a month."

These resources are helpful for Illinois educators to meet mandates centered on "contributions made to society by Americans of different faith practices."

Last week's release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2022 Civics & U.S. History Assessments at Grade 8 has dominated educational news. According to the NAEP data, the average U.S. History score at 8th grade fell by 5 points compared to 2018 and was 9 points lower than in 2014. Post-pandemic NAEP assessments also found drops in math and reading scores. The Civics score in 8th grade decreased by a small but statistically significant 2 points compared to 2018; according to NAEP, it’s the first time the civics score has dropped since the test was first administered in 1998. For both U.S. History (by 6 points) and Civics (by 3 points), the percentage of youth scoring below basic was higher in 2022 than in 2018.

Our research practice partners at the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Civic Life responded with their analysis of the significance of the NAEP scores stating "NAEP is not a comprehensive assessment but does illuminate whether social studies is a priority and the distribution of high-quality practices." CIRCLE further explains, "The NAEP tests can help us understand how much our schools and institutions are prioritizing—or deprioritizing—history and civics education. There has been a steady decline in attention and resources for social studies in schools, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated that neglect of critical subjects."

To read more about CIRCLE's analysis, click here.

This past July, the revised Illinois Social Science standards and new course mandates went into effect for the 2022-23 school year.

Our work to support the implementation of the revised standards and course mandates continues this spring with a series of Administrator Academies offered virtually to give school-based teams equitable opportunities to enhance their practice. Our next academy is:



• 6/13- AA #3930- Deconstructing the IL Social Science Standards and Course Mandates for Curriculum Design (Online)

These Academies are open to administrators and teachers for either Academy credit or PD hours. School-based teams are encouraged to participate and will have an opportunity to collaborate and reflect on learning through each session. Individual participants will have the opportunity to work with affinity groups in breakout rooms.

Visit the Illinois Civics Hub for more information on professional development to support rigorous and relevant civic learning.

The application for the Bill of Rights Institute (BRI) 2023-24 Teacher Council Application is open through May 15, 2023.

Teaching civics and U.S. history, continues to change, grow, and evolve. BRI is looking for teachers who want to expand the impact they have beyond their own classroom and be part of the national dialogue about the future of civics in our country.

The Council meets online monthly and advises the Institute on strategic initiatives by providing feedback on classroom resources and best practices in student learning as well as regional civics initiatives. They assist the Institute with monthly projects including–but not limited to–writing projects, editing projects, and resource renewal projects. 

Apply here.

The contradiction between the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the injustice of slavery is one of the most perplexing and challenging in American history. How did a system of enslavement develop and persist within the framework of liberty in the United States? This new curriculum from the Bill of Rights Institute explores that contradiction and how it was understood, discussed, and acted upon by the Founding generation and those that followed.

Access the resources HERE.

The Initiative for Media Education, Inquiry and Action (IMEDIA), a partnership between the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition and the College of Media & College of Education at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign, is running a summer “Show & Tell” workshop and discussion at its campus in Urbana, IL. The workshop will feature talks from teachers using media literacy tools in their classrooms and discussions on the use of AI tools in classrooms.

More info on that training can be found at the IMEDIA website.

Street Law recently released 28 activities to supplement our Rule of Law for All curriculum.

The extensions range from 20-75 minutes and fall into four categories: foundational documents, U.S. history, current events, and international.

The new extension activities and the core Rule of Law for All curriculum can be accessed for free in Street Law’s Resource Library.

Get the curriculum.

The government, banks, the economy, and interest rates—how do they come together? With the Government & The Market unit, students start with the basics of the market economy, learn about government regulations, and explore how banks and lending influence our economic system. This unit, comprising 5 lesson plans and a game, provides a basic overview of broad economic topics and shows students how these topics impact their own lives. Each lesson includes downloadable lesson plans, student handouts, and PowerPoint decks to make this a great off-the-shelf, print-and-go resource.

Check it out TODAY!

America tosses out tons of old electronics every year from cell phones, laptops, TVs, and even coffeemakers. Basically, anything that can be plugged in or has a battery can be considered electronic waste, or e-waste, once it is broken or no longer in use. E-waste is tricky to recycle because there are so many different types that all contain a different mix of materials. Join Myles in investigating where our e-waste goes when we get rid of it.

Find the full video as well as the lesson plan to engage students in discussion on PBS Learning Media or on KQED Learn.

Enrich your knowledge and your classroom experience through the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Summer Institutes critically acclaimed and accredited seminars! Teachers across the country are welcome to apply and scholarships are still available for on-campus seminars! 

You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity. Find out more and apply today for one of the in-person seminars at www.freedomsfoundation.org/teachers/

Retro Report is pleased to invite you to participate in a three-part webinar series about primary sources in the context of Supreme Court cases. Virtual classes will be held June 27-29 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET.

Participants who attend all three sessions and complete a survey will receive a $75 stipend, along with a PD certificate. Space is limited, so register now.

What to expect: This program focuses on using primary sources to examine the stories behind Supreme Court cases and controversies. Participants will cover issues like the Supreme Court confirmation process, Japanese American incarceration and school desegregation.

Each session will include:

• Free lessons and materials
• Short lectures from court scholars
• An original Retro Report film for use in the classroom
• Plus plenty of discussion about how to incorporate narratives into your curriculum. 

Who should register? Middle and high school educators who are teaching U.S. History and Civics/Government. 

DETAILS:  June 27-29, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

💰 Stipend: $75

✍🏼 Register here.

Reflecting forty years back and projecting forty years forward, RISE 2023: The Nation’s Next Horizon will examine America’s recovery and resilience, grounded in the seminal Nation at Risk report released during the Reagan administration. RISE will examine policy and practice from early childhood through post-secondary education and beyond.

RISE will operate in a hybrid capacity, convening a number of thought leaders, current and former administration officials and members of Congress, state leaders, students, and educators both virtually on May 24 and in-person on May 25. You are invited to register for in-person attendance through this link. If you can't join us in person, please register through this virtual registration link.

The Illinois Civics Hub has partnered with the Lou Frey Institute at the University of Central Florida to provide educators the opportunity to earn their microcredentials in the proven practices of civic education embedded in the middle and high school civics course requirements in Illinois. Courses include:

• Current and Controversial Issue Discussions—Learn from academic experts Dr. Diana Hess & Dr. Paula McAvoy as you explore the purpose, role, and function of discussion strategies as pedagogical tools to equip young people to be engaged citizens. This course will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources to create a classroom climate in which there are equitable opportunities for ALL students to engage in dialogue about essential questions across the curriculum.

• Simulations of Democratic Processes—Learn from academic experts Dr. Walter Parker & Dr. Jane Lo as you explore how democratic processes and procedures occur as part of the regular functioning of government, in each of the three branches of government, and at each level of government. This course will guide you through the purpose, planning, and implementation of three simulations: town hall meetings, legislative hearings, and moot courts.

• Informed Action through Service Learning—Learn from academic experts Dr. Joseph Kahne and Jessica Marshall as you explore the purpose, role, and function of informed action through service learning as a pedagogical tool to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be active members of their community. In this course, you will interact with strategies and tools you can use in your classroom to support student-centered informed action through service learning.

• NEW- Constitutional Democracy as Content and Practice—Learn from academic experts Dr. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Dr. Shawn P. Healy, and Dr. Bonnie Laughlin Schultz as you explore how the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap can help teach constitutional democracy as both content and practice across disciplines K-12.

Registration information is available on the Guardians of Democracy homepage. Those who successfully complete the 5-week online course will earn a Bronze Certified Guardian of Democracy Educator badge via Badgr and the University of Central Florida Center for Distributive Learning.

Participants can earn 15 PD hours through the DuPage Regional Office of Education for an additional fee.

There are three strands of courses for each proven practice of civics education. Graduate credit is available through the University of St. Francis for completing all three courses. For more information, please visit the Guardians of Democracy homepage.



The Council for State Social Studies Supervisors has compiled a list of the wealth of professional development opportunities available to social studies educators in the summer of 2023. A special thanks to all of the organizations who contributed to this work and the many organizations offering high-quality social studies professional development for social studies teachers across the country. Many of the opportunities are offered for free or at a low cost. Please email Stefanie Wager at stefanie.rosenbergwager@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or to add programs to this list.