Under current law, the federal government spends approximately $26 per student on English Language Arts, $19 per student on science and math, and $0 on social studies. The lack of funding for social studies instruction shows a lack of investment in subject areas that we regularly encounter in our daily lives.

The social studies includes four distinct but connected disciplines – civics, economics, geography and history – that are vital to the complete education of a child and essential to the development of active citizens. Of particular importance are the skills taught in social studies classes; students learn about civic participation, informed decision-making, geospatial technologies, and historical perspective. These skills are essential in preparing young people for life after school.

The U.S. Senate and House will soon go to conference to debate their two versions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Senate version includes funding streams for social studies; the House version does not. We ask our members of Congress to fight to keep the funding for social studies, which will support our teachers and students and actively invest in disciplines that deeply affect the daily lives of each and every one of their constituents.

--Minnesota Council for the Social Studies Board of Directors

MCSS is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Teacher of the Year awards!

Elementary: Laura Tessmer, Clover Ridge Elementary School, Chaska

Middle: Ron Hustvedt, Jr., Salk Middle School, Elk River

High: Tim McLean, St. Francis High School, St. Francis

In 2015, MCSS has created a new award to honor our teachers who have dedicated many years of their lives to teaching young people: the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Lifetime Achievement: Dennis Schreiber, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Rochester

Congratulations to our award-winners, and thank you for your excellent work!

The preliminary list of sessions for the MCSS conference are now posted on the website. Visit the conference page and scroll down to the Conference Sessions box to download the list. 

This includes both regular and poster sessions. Please note that this list is tentative; it is subject to change up until the conference.

Poster sessions are an addition for 2015. For three time slots, there will be four poster sessions also presented. Poster sessions are a great opportunity to get a greater variety of information and have conversations with the presenters. 

The National Council for the Social Studies is accepting proposals for its 2015 conference in New Orleans (Nov. 13-15, 2015). Proposals are due March 1, and should address the conference theme of "Celebrate Social Responsibility."

NCSS 2014 attendees can also receive a discounted registration rate for NCSS 2015 through January 19.

Visit the NCSS website for details on both.

MCSS conference attendees will receive copies of the best-selling book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, generously provided by Random House. 

Unbroken spent three years on the best-seller list and tells the amazing true story of Louis Zamperini, a World War II veteran. 

MCSS is seeking proposals for high-quality presentations in order to offer a full day of break-out sessions on Monday, February 23, 2015. Presentation time slots will be allocated to provide a balanced schedule for attendees.

Session topics should focus on the social studies disciplines, or methods and teaching strategies, and relate to the theme "Inquiry and Connections in the Social Studies: Engaging 21st Century Learners in a Diverse and Changing World." Sessions will be 50 minutes long. Priority will be given to proposals which address specific MN Social Studies Standards.

The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, December 1, 2014. Accepted presenters will be notified by Friday, December 13, 2014.

Submit your proposal online, and contact Emma Ryan with questions.

The 2015 MCSS annual conference date and location have been announced!

The conference will take place Sun., Feb. 22 and Mon., Feb. 23 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. The theme of this year's conference is "Inquiry and Connections in the Social Studies: Engaging 21st-Century Learners in a Diverse and Changing World." 

Watch the MCSS media channels for updates throughout the year!

MCSS has chosen its 2014 teachers of the year. The teachers will be honored at the awards gala on Sunday, March 2. 

The Sofitel Minneapolis, the site of the 2014 MCSS conference, has been purchased and rebranded as a Sheraton. The hotel's new name is Sheraton Bloomington, and with the rebranding will come an extensive remodel.

MCSS is now accepting proposals for conference sessions. The conference theme is "Building Bridges Across the Disciplines." Sessions should relate to this theme, or focus on the social studies disciplines, teaching methods or strategies, or social studies/ELA standards. Minnesota is hosting the Great Lakes Conference this year as part of our annual conference, so presenters from the Great Lakes region are encouraged to submit proposals as well.