Social Studies Education: Professional Organizations

The mission of the Association of Teachers of Social Studies/UFT is to provide a network through which Social Studies educators and other related professionals can advocate for Social Studies education and share scholarship, information, strategies and practices related to those issues that are both important and relevant to Social Studies instruction.

The Center for Civic Education is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in California. The Center’s programs are implemented with the assistance of a network of public- and private-sector organizations and educational leaders in every state and congressional district in the country and in more than eighty other countries, many of which are emerging and advanced democracies.

The Council for Economic Education’s (CEE’s) mission is to equip K-12 students with the tools and knowledge of personal finance and economics so that they can make better decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.

College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA) is an affiliate group of the National Council for the Social Studies. CUFA consists of higher education faculty members, graduate students, K-12 teachers, and others interested in a diversity of ideas and issues associated with social studies education. In addition it is an advocacy organization for social studies education. CUFA conducts its own program and business meeting during the NCSS Annual Conference.

The National Center for History in the Schools (NCHS) has a threefold mission: to develop and provide teachers with curricular materials that will engage students in exciting explorations of U.S. and World History; professional development for K-12 history teachers; and to collaborate with schools in building their history curricula.

The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) is a non-profit organization, chartered in 1915, to enhance the status and quality of geography teaching and learning.
NCGE promotes geographic teaching by providing professional development opportunities, producing journals and other geography publications, developing and distributing content and resources, honoring teachers, mentors and researchers; advocating for geography in schools; and organizing an annual conference and other forums for educators. NCGE promotes the greater sharing of ideas, information, best practices and innovative processes.

Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local, and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies.

The South Carolina Council for the Social Studies is a professional organization open to any person who is interested in social studies instruction in the private or public schools and colleges of South Carolina. The objectives of this organization are to promote higher standards in social studies curriculum and instruction for the schools of South Carolina: to promote a closer professional relationship among the teachers of social studies in the state; and to represent the social studies profession in South Carolina.

SCGE is a network of K-12 educators and university geographers. Nationally-recognized leader and provider of geography education instruction and materials. Partner working with local, state, and national interests to create environments where meaningful learning about geography content, methods, and technologies occur.

The South Carolina Council for African American Studies is a professional organization for persons interested in any aspect of African American history and instruction.

SC Economics is dedicated to providing training, tools, and resources for K-12 teachers in economic education and financial literacy by preparing them to be active, and prosperous members of our global economy.