Founded in 1903, the Middle States Council for the Social Studies (MSCSS) is the oldest professional organization in the country devoted solely to social studies education. MSCSS engages and supports educators representing a cross section of 5 states in strengthening and advocating for social studies as a core discipline from K-12 and beyond. Along with its affiliate members from across the country, MSCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, college and university professionals, who are involved with all aspects of social studies disciplines. The mission of MSCSS is to provide leadership, service, and support for social studies educators across a myriad of all levels.
Members states include: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Social studies educators teach students the knowledge, content, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of active and participatory citizenship. MSCSS uses grants and awards to recognize and encourage professionalism and leadership among educators engaged in the social studies profession acknowledging that social studies educators play a critical role in producing the next generation of informed citizens who will be active participants in their respective communities, states, in the country and in our world.
MSCSS serves as a marketplace of ideas, materials and trends in social studies. Publications and an annual conferences provide vehicles for communicating and connecting with the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), with whom we are an affiliate sharing both a vision and a mission for the future of social studies education:
Vision
A world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed civic action.
Mission
The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to advocate and build capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, services, and support to educators.
– Courtesy of NCSS website
Together with state and local social studies councils within the region, its own members, and other professional organizations, MSCSS strives to promote a greater understanding of diversity, human rights, and civic responsibility within the social studies discipline to encourage active participation in the life long learning vital to creating a better, more just and equitable world.