Visit the PDE Social Studies Archive
May 2025 | Volume V, Number 5
Hello Everyone!
Act 35 Update
The 2023-24 Act 35 reporting window will open in the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal (FRCPP) on Monday July 7, 2025; the deadline for reporting is Friday October 10, 2025. Act 35 requirements began in the 2020-21 school year and requires each district, charter school, and comprehensive CTC to administer a locally developed assessment of United States history, government, and civics. The assessment must be administered at least once to students in grades 7-12 and must include the nature, purpose, principles, and structure of United States constitutional democracy, the principles, operations and documents of United States government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The data to be collected in the FRCPP system includes:
- Type of the assessment administered
- Total number of students who took the assessment
- Total number of students who attained a passing grade on the assessment
- Grade level or levels in which the assessment was administered
- Course or courses in which the assessment was administered
- Number of students scoring 100% on the assessment
As you gather this information in preparation for the upcoming collection, you can find more information on Act 35, including guidelines for accessing and submitting your data in the User Guide. You may also find the “Frequently Asked Questions” document useful as well.
Note that if your charter school does not encompass grades 7-12, you are exempt from this submission. However, if your school includes at least one grade level 7-12, this legislation applies to your LEA. Submission is also required for IUs that provide civics instruction on behalf of their LEAs, as well as comprehensive CTC schools.
After entering your data, if you are experiencing issues where you are unable to submit, please check that you have the proper “submit” role in the ADMIN area of FRCPP. If the Act 35 Civic Knowledge survey isn’t appearing when you log in, you are not a registered user and you must be added by your local admin user. The FRCPP information page may assist as you encounter submission issues.
From The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education
The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation is proud to award financial grants (up to $1,000) to schools and teachers nationwide, educating students about anti-hate, respect, and kindness through Holocaust education. These school funding grants can be used to fund Holocaust-related learning materials, field trips, Holocaust survivor speakers, and other learning resources.
Through the expansion of Holocaust education, facts, and examples of genocide, we hope that students will learn about the dangers of hatred and discrimination, and how these lessons can lead to kindness, respect, and inclusion in our society today.
Who Can Apply
(Must be located in United States)
- 4-12th Grade Educators
- Universities and Colleges
- School Clubs and Organizations
How to Apply
These grants run on a school calendar year. Applications open every August and recipients are notified in November so they can utilize their grant for the current school year.
If you are interested in applying for a 2025-26 grant, please complete the Grant Application Information Form. You will be notified when applications open for teacher grants.
Ideas of Use
You can use your grant to fund many different resources you may need in your classroom, such as books, programming and even help in subsidizing a field trip! Need help in determining which resources are best for you? Visit their new searchable Holocaust Education Resource database. You can filter by State, Grade Level, Resource Type, and more.
The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation is proud to offer a database of Holocaust and World War II educational resources for schools and teachers. Compiled from national sources, educators can find curriculum, lesson plans, programming, survivor speaker bureaus and other engaging content to appeal to their particular students and learning environment.
For any resources that incur a cost, educators may apply for a MSHEF financial grant to support funding your learning opportunity!
From The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is pleased to announce the publication of the AP African American Studies Guide, a centuries-spanning, expert-led, document-based exploration of Black history.
Whether you are a student studying for the College Board's AP African American Studies test on May 8 or simply want to take a deep dive into Black history, view our free study guide to see the following:
- 150+ primary source documents, essays from History Now, historian lectures, and videos from Inside the Vault and Book Breaks
- 180+ resources from archives and collections around the world, each designated by the College Board as relevant resources for the AP test
- 88 short videos from the Black History in Two Minutes (or so) series, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and featuring scholars from across the field of African American Studies
- 25 learning resources created by Edward L. Ayers and the team at New American History and Bunk
- 23 maps courtesy of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, at the New York Public Library
- Artwork courtesy of the Bryan Museum and MTA Arts & Design
From Founding Forward
Founding Forward is gearing up for a busy spring and summer season ahead, with expanded student and teacher program offerings, a growing lineup of exciting speaker programs, ongoing work at their Valley Forge campus, and a driving commitment to the goals outlined in their Strategic Plan! The Scholarship Awards Dinner on May 21 will welcome in the 2025 scholars, awarding them almost a half million in scholarship aid.
Semifinalists for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program announced
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
Learn more and view the complete list of semifinalists.
From PBS LearningMedia
Explore the Popular Ken Burns in the Classroom Collection
Check out one of PBS LearningMedia’s most popular resource collections, Ken Burns in the Classroom! This robust, dynamic collection contains more than 600 curriculum-aligned teaching resources that are built around nearly 40 films by filmmaker Ken Burns and his collaborators. These classroom resources include clips from the films aligned to commonly taught topics and will engage your students through powerful visual storytelling, introducing them to new ideas and perspectives and challenging them to ask thought-provoking questions.
From The National Constitution Center
Looking for nonpartisan resources to address the headlines and make relevant connections to history and the Constitution? Constitution in the Headlines offers curated grab-and-go resources that are designed to foster critical thinking skills and student engagement.
Here’s a look at some of the discussion questions in new topics on tariffs and proposed voter registration changes:
- What is the difference between taxes and tariffs? How have tariffs impacted foreign relations throughout American history?
- How does a bill become a law? And how might separation of powers play a role in whether or not the SAVE Act will become a law?
Explore these discussion questions, student choice activities, and related primary sources in the new topics now available.
From The Center for Civic Education
Join fellow Northeast educators of Grades 4-8 for a week of PD at UMass Boston. Learn to teach civics and the US Constitution through authentic assessments and the We the People curriculum! Apply before May 26th!
From More Like US
Looking to navigate the difficult political environment in your classroom? PA Civics member nonprofit More Like US seeks social studies teachers to be part of a pilot either this semester or in the fall of its lesson plan about the Perception Gap, the finding that Americans are more similar across the political spectrum than often believed.
The Civic Education Research Lab at Georgetown University is leading pre- and post-surveys of effectiveness, after conducting an initial successful study. This lesson plan for 1-2 class periods achieves many goals: supporting classroom civil discourse and media literacy, increasing understanding of fellow Americans, boosting support for democracy, and inspiring action to reduce perceived political divides.
While most appropriate for high school social studies classrooms, any teacher can modify the lesson plan, so middle school teachers and those in other departments can also participate. This minute-long video covers some highlights of the lesson and rationale. The lesson plan and additional resources provide instructions, or teachers may contact More Like US Co-Founder and Executive Director James Coan (James@MoreLikesUS.org) to discuss next steps.
From C-Span Classroom
C-SPAN’s American History TV recently aired a ten-part series exploring the early months of ten different presidential administrations, including what those presidents accomplished in their earliest days in office and how those results impacted the remainder of their presidential terms and the nation.
C-SPAN Classroom has turned each of these hour-long programs into engaging lesson plans for you to bring into your classroom. Check out each of these lessons below, and make sure to visit our Presidents Featured Resources site for even more video clips, bell ringers, and lesson plans focused on each of our country’s chief executives!
From The American Historical Association
Join the AHA Summer Reading Challenge
In these chaotic times, we’re feeling the need to escape. And what better way is there to forget about the present than by diving into a good book about the past? So the AHA invites you to participate in the fourth annual AHA Summer Reading Challenge. Their reading tasks encourage you to read widely—outside your field, your areas of expertise, and your personal experiences. They are looking for feedback about what you're reading for the challenge on their AHA Member Forum or on social media using the hashtag #AHAReads. For more information, and to print your challenge task list, visit their website.
View a complete list of upcoming online events.
May Commemorations
May is a month to commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Memorial Day.
The Library of Congress has joined with other federal agencies to curate resources around these events as well.
From The Center for Civic Education: Constitutional Learning for Grades 4-8 Educators
Apply now for the opportunity to join in-person summer institutes in the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum. Many of their state partners will be offering 36 hours of professional learning with mentor educators and fantastic guest speakers! Fill out our interest form to express your interest, or contact their We the People partner in your state to inquire about potential learning opportunities.
America250PA: Pennsylvania Day 2025 Volunteer Registration is OPEN!
National Pennsylvania Day is an annual observance that is celebrated on July 20th. America250PA has dedicated this weekend to encouraging Pennsylvanians to volunteer across the Commonwealth under the theme of “Pennsylvanians helping Pennsylvanians.” This year, activities will be held on July 18th and 19th!
America250PA hopes to grow this volunteer effort each year leading up to and including 2026. America250PA recognizes the impact that volunteerism has on our communities, and they are committed to encouraging every resident to participate.
From The National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) is a professional learning community of educators who collaborate with the Center to share best practices for teaching constitutional, historical, and civics topics.
Members of the Teacher Advisory Council receive a yearly stipend for their valuable time and professional advice.
TAC members have the opportunity to:
- Build community with fellow educators in a nationwide professional learning community
- Facilitate professional development opportunities and conference presentations with members of the Center’s Education team
- Participate in virtual and on-site programs exclusive to members of the Center’s educator networks
- Support in shaping the Center’s nonpartisan educational materials and programs
Smithsonian National Education Summit
Registration is now open for the 2025 Smithsonian National Education Summit (July 15–17, 2025). Offered both virtually and in person in Washington, D.C., this free multi‑day event will unite leading voices in education under the theme Together We Thrive: One Nation, Indivisible. Four session tracks will equip you with classroom‑ready ideas as we prepare for the United States’ Semi-quincentennial in 2026. Reserve your spot today!
From The Rendell Center
Join The Rendell Center for a transformative one-day workshop with follow-up webinars dedicated to exploring the intricacies of the First Amendment. Designed for educators, this workshop promises to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the First Amendment. This event promises to enlighten, engage, and empower.
Where: June 23, 2025 8:30 – 3:00pm. Edward N. Cahn United States Courthouse, 504 Hamilton Street, Allentown
Thank you for subscribing to the SAS Social Studies PLC and for all you do every day for the students in Pennsylvania!
Don McCrone
dmccrone@pa.gov
NOTE: Sites identified here have been reviewed by the content advisor; however, educators are advised to preview for appropriateness for their respective classrooms.