Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies

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We the People PA is a program of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies.

Upcoming Dates

2021–October 11 in Valley Forge
2022–PCSS as part of NCSS in Philadelphia, December 2-4

68th Annual PCSS Conference

2022 NCSS in Philadelphia

PCSS will be part of NCSS in Philadelphia

For More Information
Visit NCSS

For More Information
Visit Middle States Council

The Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies

The 68th Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies will be held at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, October 11, 2021.

If we were mathematicians, we would be talking about Sum Day (10/11/21 is 10+11=21, sum day!). But we are social studies educators, and we will follow George Washington’s lead and converge on Valley Forge for the 68th Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies. With the theme of the conference Navigating Controversy in Social Studies, the focus on the date fits since October 11th is the national Columbus Day holiday, alternatively celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

The Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies is the statewide umbrella organization for Social Studies in Pennsylvania. As an advocate for social studies at all levels of education, PCSS promotes the analysis, dissemination, and evaluation of instructional materials and programs for effective social studies education in the Commonwealth. In addition, the organization makes recommendations on certification requirements for educators involved in teaching social studies. Most importantly, PCSS assists local social studies educators in their professional development and cooperates with schools, school districts, intermediate units, and other interested groups to support great social studies educators.

The Freedom Foundation campus has treasures such as the Medal of Honor Grove and, weather permitting, a campus tour will be a unique experience for the day. There will be six invited sessions by presenters specially asked to participate by the PCSS Board and 24 poster sessions selected by peer-review from applications across the Commonwealth and beyond. Additional Mock Trial and Youth Court sessions will bring judges and lawyers to Freedoms Foundation to join with educators, policy makers and students of all ages in the celebration of social studies.

The Freedoms Foundation | 1601 Valley Forge Road, Valley Forge, PA 19481

PCSS Conference Registration

The 68th Annual Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies is sponsored by FIRE–The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of students and faculty members at America’s colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience — the essential qualities of liberty.

Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies

PCSS promotes quality Social Studies education from kindergarten to higher learning by:

1. Advocating the Social Studies at all levels of education in Pennsylvania.
2. Promoting the analysis, dissemination and evaluation of Social Studies materials.
3. Examining and recommending certification requirements for teachers.
4. Assisting educators in organizing local Social Studies councils for professional development.
5. Cooperating with schools, districts, intermediate units and other interested parties on Social Studies projects.

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