On May 6-7, OCSS held its second annual spring workshop entitled "Inspiring Interactive Social Studies." Forty teachers from all parts of Oregon participated in the is dynamic workshop. Teachers enjoyed the high desert scenery along the Deschutes River at the Riverhouse Resort in Bend, Oregon, which provided a relaxed and scenic location. The workshop was co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Oregon with assistance from the Oregon International Council and the Oregon High School International Relations League. We thank them all for their support.

All workshop participants were presented with the latest information on the Social Science Analysis standards. Teachers learned how to apply the standards to their classrooms curriculum. The presentation also prompted a lively discussion on the application of CIM standards and questions about where and how Social Science Analysis standards can be incorporated into Social Studies curriculums. Teachers discussed their concerns over traditional versus performance based evaluations of student learning and the loss of social studies instruction time taken for math and Language Arts. Teachers were encouraged to continue their discussions in the coming months as the Oregon State Board of Education makes it recommendations to the Oregon Legislature for its 2007 legislative session. For more information see the OCSS homepage article "Recent National Survey Reports Loss of Social Studies Instructional Time."

Workshop participants had a choice of two grade-level strands and received instruction and free materials, including a CD of workshop materials aligned to the ODE content and social science analysis standards. Workshop participants in grade 4-8 were treated to two highly stimulating strands on the American Promise and "The World in Ancient Times - Lifelong Learning." Past OCSS President Gayle Thieman offered an interactive presentation on the American Promise workshop. Teachers attending reported they were provided with "some great civics lessons and great teaching ideas for community service." Another commented that the American Promise materials provide a "marvelous fusion of [the] foundations of democracy with the skills of citizenship."

Similar enthusiasm was reported by teachers attending the afternoon grades 4-8 workshop on "The World in Ancient Times - Lifelong Learning." Teachers appreciated the scholarly background provided by Dr. John Major (who was also the workshop's keynote speaker) and the lessons presented by OCSS board member Gail Vander Heide.

Teachers in grades 8-12 attended a full day workshop on "The World in Transition." developed by the Southern Center for International Studies. These curriculum materials are designed to "internationalize the thinking of Americans in a non-partisan, non-political way" and integrate geography, economics, history, and civics and government content from seven world regions. Many teachers also commented on the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from their colleagues.

On Sunday, teachers were treated to a stimulating presentation by Randy Rice of American Promise on their new production "Freedom Song" an interactive classroom DVD on the civil rights movement. Participants were also treated to a presentation on educational travel abroad by OCSS board member Lisa Iverson on her experiences in Saudi Arabia.

OCSS is dedicated to providing professional development opportunities to all Oregon teachers. Last year's workshop was held in Portland, Oregon. OCSS plans to hold future workshops in various Oregon locations including the Medford area and along the Oregon coast as part of its continuing commitment to provide teachers with the necessary tools and training to be their best in the classroom.

Summer Institute is a weeklong program for elementary, middle and high school teachers on how to make the U.S Constitution come alive in the classroom. Using the acclaimed We the People text as an anchor, the seminar focuses on the Constitution and participating in a simulated congressional hearing. Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Susan Leeson, Professor of Education Diana Hess and other education and legal experts will lead substantive morning sessions. Afternoons will be devoted to teaching strategies, meeting in grade-level groups and working with experienced teacher-mentors who will guide participants through use of the text, how to put on your own hearings and provide links to state standards. Participants will learn by doing, and the week will culminate with participants putting on simulated hearings before panels of civic leaders.

All participants will be entitled to a free classroom set of We the People texts upon completion of the Institute. Meals are provided and lodging is available ($35.00/night.) Optional degree credit is available. Cost of the Institute is $250, member districts (Portland, Reynolds and Riverdale) is $200. Half off for registrations received prior to May 12, 2006, and registration deadline is May 31st, 2006. Scholarships are available! Applications are at www.classroomlaw.org or call Toni Kelich at 503-224-4424.

Beginning in 2002, the Center on Education Policy began a national study on the implementation of NCLB and has issued three previous reports. The most recent, "From the Capital to the Classroom - Vol. 4," drew information from 299 school districts in all 50 states, developed case studies of 38 geographically diverse districts and three national forums. The report finds that 71% of the school districts reduced instructional time in at least one other subject to make more time for reading and mathematics. Many teachers reported a loss of social studies instructional time due to excessive time required for teaching and testing mathematics and reading. One teacher's comment was indicative of many, "[NCLB] has torn apart our social studies curriculum. We are raising tomorrow's leaders and [it's] forcing us to fill their heads with math facts that do not make them better leaders or help students make choices." A press release and the full report can be found on the CEP website at http://www.cep-dc.org. There is also a comprehensive news article from the New York Times on March 26, 2006. www.nytimes.com

It seems we now have the data Congress was requesting. We all know how important teaching the social studies is, especially now as so much of this country's future is tied up in Social Science related issues. We also have been divided on how best to address the issues surrounding NCLB. In our state, Superintendent Susan Castillo's recent announcement to make adjustments to the CIM/CAM program is being followed by the state Board of Education meeting in May to make recommendations to the Oregon Legislature for its 2007 legislative session. The process is moving forward and teachers must move with it and be heard or... they will be left behind.

You may access the Oregon State Board of Education Notice of Policy Review at www.www.ode.state.or.us. Comments can still be submitted to Jan McComb (jan.mccomb@state.or.us) or mail them to State Board of Education, ATTN: Jan McComb, 255 Capitol Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97310

As we move toward the up coming mid-term elections, it will be important that candidates for elected office hear from Oregon's Social Studies teachers on the issue of reduced Social Studies instructional time. We encourage you to get involved in the political process, talk to your colleagues, students' parents and friends about the importance of adequate instructional time devoted to the Social Studies. Find out what other states are doing to help keep balanced curriculums. Write to legislators and encourage them to support the social studies in upcoming legislation. You may write to both your state senator and representative at this link on the Oregon State Legislature website. www.leg.state.or.us.