Mission Statement

To engage in activities supporting educational work, which shall also include the coordination, promotion, development and maintenance of quality social studies programs at all levels of educational instruction in the State of Colorado.

Programs of Excellence

Thank you for your interest in National Council for the Social Studies and this year’s Social Studies Programs of Excellence Awards. On this page is the information and forms you will need to apply for the state level Social Studies Programs of Excellence Award.

These materials should include:

(1) SP-1 State Entry Requirements;
(2) SP-2 Description and Criteria;
(3) SP-3 Curriculum Guidelines;
(4) SP-4 Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers;
(5) SP-5 NCSS Curriculum Standards: The Ten Thematic Strands;
(6) SP-6 Entry Cover Page;
(7) SP-7 Entry Abstract; and
(8) SP-8 Program Entry Checklist.

Carefully review the Social Studies Programs of Excellence Award Description and Criteria and follow the State Entry Requirements. Programs that fail to meet all award criteria and submission requirements will not be considered. Please do not send nomination materials to NCSS. All programs must be submitted to Sara Shackett, the CCSS Social Studies Programs of Excellence Award Coordinator. Only those programs nominated by the state council will be eligible for the national award.

The Colorado Council for the Social studies submission deadline is postmarked by: March 1. Do not send nomination requirements under separate cover (i.e. all required materials must accompany your nomination). Please note that the state council must conduct site visits prior to nominating any program for the national award.

NOTE: Subject divider labels for the bound nomination materials should coincide with the six requirements outlined on SP-1. Materials should be labeled and bound in the following order:

  1. Program Entry Checklist (SP-8);
  2. Entry Cover Page (SP-6);
  3. Entry Abstract (SP-7);
  4. Program Definition and Criteria Fit;
  5. Program Curriculum;
  6. Required Letters of Support; and
  7. Additional Supporting Documentation.

Again, thank you for your interest in this year’s Social Studies Programs of Excellence. I look forward to receiving your nomination. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Sara Shackett
CCSS Vice President and Awards Committee Chairperson
sshacket@cosocialstudies.org