TCSS Executive Committee Statement

June 2, 2020

TCSS is an organization founded on advancing education in social studies through professional learning and growth of Texas educators.  We join many in condemning racist acts of violence and police brutality, including the recent senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless others who needlessly preceded them as victims of unjustified violence. Read more...

Annie Whitlock is a NCSS Board member and an elementary social studies professor at the University of Michigan-Flint. She and Dr. Kristy Brugar (University of Oklahoma) are conducting a study of historical fiction books 3rd-8th grade teachers use in their classrooms. The findings will contribute to educational research, specifically social studies teacher education. They are looking for teachers to complete a one-time survey which will take no more than 30 minutes. If you or other teachers are interested, please follow this link: https://ousurvey.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebtrtj3u4xhOHIN. 

Consider adding to the #powerofcommunity and support social studies education research by completing the short survey.

During these unprecedented times many may be searching for resources to support a less familiar or comfortable instructional design.  

TEA has COVID-19 Resources by Region

Education Service Centers have provided region-specific guidance and resources to support instructional continuity in schools.  Many of the service centers are organizing these resources based on content area.  Just click on your service center region on the map linked above to explore resources collated with teaching during Covid-19 closure in mind.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues to work with the Office of the Governor, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate and plan the state’s response to COVID-19. TEA’s role in these efforts is to help coordinate the flow of information from the state to districts, help districts solve problems, and provide guidance that will aid in districts’ decision-making. TEA support resources are linked here.

New activities designed specifically for the 2019-2020 school year spotlight the 2020 Census and the importance of making sure everyone is counted, especially children. The decennial count impacts the federal funds that communities receive for special education, classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school lunch assistance, and more.

Use activities for pre-K through 12th grade today to help your students, school, and community.

Download: Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association 

TEA Update

February 21, 2020

Hearts, flowers, and sweet treats -- must be time for TCSS's Spring Meet.  TCSS’s spring committee work session and executive board meeting will be held on Saturday February 22 in Austin at the Omni Southpark (4140 Governors Row Austin, Texas 78744).

All TCSS committees will meet for breakfast at 7:30-8am and then collaborate in work sessions until around noon. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The Executive Board meeting will follow lunch in the afternoon.  Committee members should RSVP with their committee chair by Feb. 14^th to ensure accurate meal counts.

Executive Board members, committee chairs, and committee members should make their own travel arrangements.  Committee members may receive reimbursement for up to $50 of their travel expenses not covered by other sources per policy.  Complete reimbursement forms with receipts are required.

Group discount available for Omni Southpark Austin Hotel reservations at https://tinyurl.com/yhjgsv2s  (phone: (512) 448-2222)  Note:  discount is through TSSSA conference block of rooms which they are working on increasing. 

This work session is an important time for committees to set goals and collaborate on action items which support quality social studies instruction across Texas.  All TCSS members are invited to add their voice and talents to the process. Committees are examples of the Power of Community in TCSS

If you are not currently a committee member but are interested in participating in the Spring Meeting, complete the TCSS Committee Preference form (also available at www.txcss.net on the advocacy page) and email the chair of the committee you are interested in joining to RSVP for the Spring Meeting Saturday Feb. 22.

From July 6-24, 2020, Duke University will host a NEH Summer Institute for School Teachers, "The Civil Rights Movement: Grassroots Perspectives."

This institute is designed by a collaborative team of scholars, veterans, and educators from Duke University, the SNCC Legacy Project (collaborators on the SNCC Digital Gateway), and Teaching for Change. Participants will learn the bottom-up history of the Civil Rights Movement and receive resources and strategies to bring it home to their students, so that they can see themselves in this history. Teachers will have the unique opportunity to learn from people who were key organizers in the Civil Rights Movement, and from leading scholars of that era. Teachers will receive a stipend of $2,700 in order to defray expenses.

For more information and to access the website, please visit https://sites.duke.edu/dukecrmsummerinstitute/. Any questions can be sent to allison.raven@duke.edu.

Quick Facts:

Dates: July 6 - 24, 2020 (3 weeks)

Location: Duke University, Durham, NC

Application Deadline: March 1, 2020 (notification date: March 27, 2020)

Grade Levels: 5-12

Stipend: $2,700