February 4, 2025
NCSS Statement on the Executive Order
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
Silver Spring, MD - The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) believes that the January 29 “Executive Order Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling” does not address the core challenges of teaching and learning social studies in today’s PK-12 classrooms. Rather than supporting educators, this order risks reinforcing misconceptions about social studies instruction. NCSS remains committed to ensuring that social studies education fosters critical thinking, informed discussion, and civic engagement. We encourage educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore our position statements on academic freedom, human rights education, racial literacy, and the essential role of social studies in preparing students for active participation in democracy.
For over 100 years, NCSS has supported social studies professionals by advocating for academic freedom, providing professional development, and offering resources that help ensure students receive a well-rounded education. Our vision is clear: “A world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed civic action.” However, social studies education has faced increasing challenges over the past 25 years, including reduced instructional time—sometimes as little as 15 minutes per day in elementary classrooms—and shifts in graduation requirements that diminish the role of social studies.
Concerns about what is being taught in social studies classrooms have also grown, often driven by misinformation. Research from the American Historical Association, with NCSS support, found in its American Lesson Plan study that “Secondary U.S. history teachers are professionals who are concerned mostly with helping their students learn central elements of our nation’s history. We did not find indoctrination, politicization, or deliberate classroom malpractice.” These findings affirm what educators have long known: social studies instruction is rooted in helping students think critically about history, government, and society—not in advancing any specific ideology.
NCSS has consistently supported the idea that states and local education entities are best positioned to develop social studies standards. As one of the first education organizations to establish a code of professional ethics, we have long defended the academic freedom of both students and teachers. The teaching of U.S. history should invite discussion, encourage inquiry, and reflect the diverse people, places, and events that shape our shared human experience. A strong social studies education helps students develop the ability to analyze information, engage in meaningful discourse, and contribute thoughtfully to their communities.
As NCSS stated in 2021, “If we really want to ‘save American history,’ we should address the marginalization of social studies and why instructional time for history and social studies learning has declined so rapidly in the 21st century—especially at the elementary level. If our nation wishes to ‘save American history,’ then it needs to start by prioritizing American history instruction—and all social studies instruction—every day in the school schedule.”
NCSS remains dedicated to supporting social studies educators and ensuring that all students receive a comprehensive and engaging education. We encourage educators and advocates to explore our position statements, including:
Jennifer Morgan
NCSS President
Anton Schulzki
Interim Executive Director
National Council for the Social Studies, 8555 16th Street, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States,
301-588-18
NCSS Statement on the Executive Order
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
Silver Spring, MD - The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) believes that the January 29 “Executive Order Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling” does not address the core challenges of teaching and learning social studies in today’s PK-12 classrooms. Rather than supporting educators, this order risks reinforcing misconceptions about social studies instruction. NCSS remains committed to ensuring that social studies education fosters critical thinking, informed discussion, and civic engagement. We encourage educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore our position statements on academic freedom, human rights education, racial literacy, and the essential role of social studies in preparing students for active participation in democracy.
For over 100 years, NCSS has supported social studies professionals by advocating for academic freedom, providing professional development, and offering resources that help ensure students receive a well-rounded education. Our vision is clear: “A world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed civic action.” However, social studies education has faced increasing challenges over the past 25 years, including reduced instructional time—sometimes as little as 15 minutes per day in elementary classrooms—and shifts in graduation requirements that diminish the role of social studies.
Concerns about what is being taught in social studies classrooms have also grown, often driven by misinformation. Research from the American Historical Association, with NCSS support, found in its American Lesson Plan study that “Secondary U.S. history teachers are professionals who are concerned mostly with helping their students learn central elements of our nation’s history. We did not find indoctrination, politicization, or deliberate classroom malpractice.” These findings affirm what educators have long known: social studies instruction is rooted in helping students think critically about history, government, and society—not in advancing any specific ideology.
NCSS has consistently supported the idea that states and local education entities are best positioned to develop social studies standards. As one of the first education organizations to establish a code of professional ethics, we have long defended the academic freedom of both students and teachers. The teaching of U.S. history should invite discussion, encourage inquiry, and reflect the diverse people, places, and events that shape our shared human experience. A strong social studies education helps students develop the ability to analyze information, engage in meaningful discourse, and contribute thoughtfully to their communities.
As NCSS stated in 2021, “If we really want to ‘save American history,’ we should address the marginalization of social studies and why instructional time for history and social studies learning has declined so rapidly in the 21st century—especially at the elementary level. If our nation wishes to ‘save American history,’ then it needs to start by prioritizing American history instruction—and all social studies instruction—every day in the school schedule.”
NCSS remains dedicated to supporting social studies educators and ensuring that all students receive a comprehensive and engaging education. We encourage educators and advocates to explore our position statements, including:
- Academic Freedom and the Social Studies Teacher
- Contextualizing LGBT+ History within the Social Studies Curriculum
- Developing State and Local Social Studies Standards
- Human Rights Education
- Powerful Purposeful Teaching and Learning in Elementary Social Studies
- Powerful Teaching and Learning in Social Studies
- Racial Literacy
- Supporting Curricular Promotion and Intersectional Valuing of Women in History and Current Events
- Towards Responsibility: Social Studies Education that Respects and Affirms Indigenous Peoples and Nations
Jennifer Morgan
NCSS President
Anton Schulzki
Interim Executive Director
National Council for the Social Studies, 8555 16th Street, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States,
301-588-18
The executive order can be found at:
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-indoctrination-in-k-12-schooling/
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-indoctrination-in-k-12-schooling/
Who represents you on the Nebraska State Board of Education?
Contact your Board member with comments and concerns.
Contact your Board member with comments and concerns.
1 Kristin Christensen
2 Maggie Douglas
3 Lisa Schonhoff
4 Liz Renner
5 Kirk Penner
6 Sherry Jones
7 Elizabeth Tegtmeier – President
8 Deborah Neary – Vice President
Dr. Brian Maher, Commissioner of Education
2 Maggie Douglas
3 Lisa Schonhoff
4 Liz Renner
5 Kirk Penner
6 Sherry Jones
7 Elizabeth Tegtmeier – President
8 Deborah Neary – Vice President
Dr. Brian Maher, Commissioner of Education
************************************************
http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu/
Education Committee of the Nebraska Legislature -
During session, the Education Committee meets on Mondays and Tuesdays
in Room 1525 on the 1st Floor of the Capitol.
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson
District 38
Room 1107
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2732
Email: [email protected]
http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu/
Education Committee of the Nebraska Legislature -
During session, the Education Committee meets on Mondays and Tuesdays
in Room 1525 on the 1st Floor of the Capitol.
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson
District 38
Room 1107
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2732
Email: [email protected]
