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Legislative Update

October 2007

On the national front, the National Council for the Social Studies has been very active in reviewing and making recommendations related to the Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.  Specifically, NCSS has asked that the term “core academic subject area” be better defined to include social studies.  NCSS has also made recommendations to refine the definitions under the Teaching American History Grant.  For more information on these recommendations, visit http://www.socialstudies.org/newsItems/viewFullItem$1203

S.B.1414, titled “The American History and Civics Achievement Act,” has been filed by Senator Alexander and Senator Kennedy to afford appropriate funding for NAEP assessments in American History and Civics and provides for a four year timeline on assessment.

The National Council for the Social Studies is also revising their advocacy toolkit.  This website is designed to aid all social studies education advocates with planning tools and resources to aid in promoting social studies education.  Please visit http://www.ncss.org/advocacy/.

At the state and local level, there has been much discussion on the future of the FCAT, statewide exit exams, and social studies assessment.  FCSS anticipates seeing bills pre-filed in both the house and senate that will address social studies as part of the statewide assessment program.  Once these bills are filed, it is imperative that we, as members of FCSS, contact our local senators and representatives in support of these measures.  Look for more information to come out as we get closer to the opening session of the legislature. 

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