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News & Announcements ​

The National Civics Bee: 

The Daniels Fund is co-sponsoring the National Civics Bee in partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce. There will be 8 competitions throughout Colorado-- the deadline to enter is February 4, 2025. One winner from each state will go on to compete in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2025. It would be great to see great representation from Colorado 6th, 7th, and 8th graders! Click here for more information.

January PD Opportunities from the National Council for Geographic Education:

January 8, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Overview: Explore how borders function as marketplaces involving costly and often deadly transactions, with insights from Lesbos, Gaza, and Tijuana. 

January 15, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Overview: Delve into the broader history of housing discrimination beyond redlining, understanding systemic racism in American housing patterns.

January 21, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Overview: Discuss mapping tools and strategies to understand ethnic neighborhoods and the enduring impact of redlining. 

January 22, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Overview: Learn about the importance of teaching world religions to foster global citizenship, including legal foundations and case studies.

January 29, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Overview: Discover how to utilize interactive mapping tools and inquiry-based methods to teach about cultural geography. 

Summer 2025 Professional Development Opportunities:

Social Studies Professional Development Opportunities are avenues for educators to enhance their knowledge, skills, and instructional practices within the realm of social studies. These opportunities are designed to empower teachers with the tools and resources necessary to deliver effective and engaging lessons in subjects such as history, geography, civics, economics, and sociology. By participating in these opportunities, educators can stay current with best practices, incorporate innovative teaching strategies, and foster a lifelong commitment to professional growth.   Summer 2025 PD Opportunities.


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Academic Standards

Preparing students for the 21st century cannot be accomplished without a strong and sustaining emphasis on the social studies. The social studies provide cornerstone skills that are the key to opening doors for a more diverse, competitive workforce and responsible citizenry.

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Curriculum Support

Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop, or use the materials of their choice.

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Instructional Support

Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction as well as practices and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars at the leading edge of social studies education.

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Community

There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger Social Studies education community.


Social Studies Information

  1. The Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year Award The National History Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding K–12 American history teachers across the country. The 2025 award & honors outstanding elementary or secondary school teachers. Nominate a teacher today!

  2. Social Studies Instruction and Reading Comprehension: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study A new study finds that social studies instruction in elementary school improves student's reading scores! Here are the 2 key points from the study:
  3. Civics as a Graduation Requirement In 2004, the Colorado State Legislature passed a bill requiring all high school students to pass a course in civics. This is the only state graduation requirement. Specifically, the law states, "Satisfactory completion of a course on the civil government of the United States and the state of Colorado ... shall be a condition of high school graduation in the public schools of this state. Here is the full text of the law: CRS. 22-1-104.

For further assistance, please contact: 

Stephanie Hartman, Ph.D.
Social Studies Content Specialist
720.498.2084
Hartman_S@cde.state.co.us