NCSS 106th Annual Conference, Chicago, IL | Dec. 4–6, 2026
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
#NCSS2026
www.socialstudies.org/conference @NCSSNetwork photograph by Jansen Miller / unsplash
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CALL FOR PROPOSALS The 106th NCSS Annual Conference Will Be Held On December 4–6, 2026, At The Hyatt Regency Chicago, Il.
Page 3 THEME DESCRIPTION Learn more about what our theme means and how it may inspire new ideas for rock star proposals! Page 4 CREATING YOUR PROPOSAL Learn more about some guidelines to help you prepare the proposal. Page 7 RUBRIC Learn more about the criteria reviewers will use to score each proposal. Page 8 NEXT STEPS/PROPOSAL TIMELINE Learn more about how to submit the proposal and what happens upon submission. Page 8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS You have questions. We have answers!
socialstudies.org/conference
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THEME DESCRIPTION GREETINGS, SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATORS! I am Joe Schmidt, and I am the chair of the 2026 NCSS conference. I am thrilled to announce the call for proposals for the 106th Conference in the vibrant city of Chicago. The planning committee has met and crafted a vision for a conference that will inspire everyone connected to social studies education to remember that what we do extends far beyond the three days of our conference. What we do matters 365 days a year! That is why our planning committee has crafted a vision centered on a theme that defines the heartbeat of our profession: Social Studies 365. This theme represents the vital truth that social studies education and the dedicated work of educators are essential every single day of the year. Social Studies 365 is designed to counter the marginalization of our discipline by asserting its constant relevance to democracy and civic life. We believe that the inspiration found at our annual meeting should not stay at the conference; we want to help you integrate that energy into your daily practice of teaching. As you consider your proposal, we ask you to reflect on what it means to live the mission of social studies every day: • • • • •
How do you teach social studies in ways that make it indispensable to our students’ and community’s daily lives? How do you support social studies teachers to ensure that they have what they need to be energized, passionate, and successful every day? In what ways do you innovate your practices to meet the evolving needs of teaching and learning across the year? How do you advocate for social studies beyond the walls of your classrooms and into your communities and state houses across the country? How do you celebrate and honor the social studies teachers in your life to make sure that they know the In what ways are you able to build a community of professionals that inspire and support you beyond the conference?
Social Studies 365 means that every day is an opportunity for impact. We want every member to know they are supported and empowered 365 days a year. NCSS is here for you both in and out of the classroom with resources, tools, and a community that has your back year-round. We envision a conference where educators are lifted up, empowered, and inspired to bring that same spirit back to their students. We encourage you to share the ways that you bring Social Studies 365 to life so that we may all find new ways to be there for our students, our communities, and each other. We have an amazing conference planned in Chicago with incredible participants. You deserve to know that we are there for you every day, and we can’t wait to see how you are making social studies matter — every single day of the year! Celebrating you each and every day!
Joe Schmidt Chair of 2026 NCSS Conference in Chicago NCSS President Elect
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CRAFTING YOUR PROPOSAL Use the following guidelines to help you craft your proposal.
STEP 1
GENERATE AN IDEA As you begin brainstorming ideas for a proposal, there are a few things you may wish to consider: • Current trends/issues • Lessons you have done in your classroom that have been successful • How to expand upon ideas you have seen at other conferences Chances are that you are already doing something that other teachers would want to know about.
STEP 2
DETERMINE THE INTENDED AUDIENCE Every year thousands of social studies educators attend the conference. Consider who would benefit the most from the ideas you would like to share: early childhood/elementary, middle level/ junior high, or secondary/high school grades, higher education or supervisors/ administrators. The most common job roles represented include: classroom teacher, instructional coach, school/district supervisor, state education department, supervisor/director, education consultant, principals, under/grad students, teacher educators. DETERMINE THE SESSION TYPE There are a few different session types to choose from: • Sessions: 50–55 minute sessions with theatre seating. • Poster Sessions: a poster display and possible technology with a display table. Presenters engage with attendees in small groups over a 50-55-minute block. • Power Sessions: 25-minute sessions that typically highlight a topic, resource, or tool.
STEP 3
• NEW! Resource Rally: a fast-paced learning experience in which 3-5 presenters coordinate round robin presentations on a shared topic, resource, or tool during a 25-minute session. • Workshops: 1.5-2 hours long and take place on the Sunday morning of the conference. Workshops should include deep learning and exploration of a topic, strategy, or resource. • Clinics: half-day or full-day deep dives that occur the Thursday before the conference begins. • Off-Site Clinics: are half-day or full-day deep dives that occur off-site the Thursday before the conference. There should be a significant rationale for holding the clinic off-site. Acceptance rates are the highest among poster sessions and power sessions. Traditional sessions are the third, with clinics and workshops rounding out the rest.
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CRAFTING YOUR PROPOSAL (CONTINUED) CHOOSE YOUR CONTENT AREA What content area best matches your idea? Choose from one of the following and allow the content area to also help guide your proposal: STEP 4
• Civics/Government • Disciplinary Literacy • Economics • Geography • Global Studies • Human Rights • Inquiry • Interdisciplinary Studies
• Law/Law-Related Education • Primary Sources • Psychology • Standards and Policy • Teaching and Learning • Technology • U.S. History • World History
CONNECT TO THE THEME Which of the following fits your overall proposal: STEP 5
• Advocacy • Building Community • Celebrating and Honoring Social Studies Education
• High Quality Teaching • Innovation • Supporting Teachers
STEP 6
WRITE THE PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE In this section, explain what will happen during your presentation. Share the intended outcomes (content/pedagogy) and what you hope participants will learn. Describe how participants will engage with you/your content/strategies during the session. Be thorough.
STEP 7
EXPLAIN THE NEW IDEAS Explain how this session will offer new pedagogical and/or content ideas to educators. Explain how the pedagogy or content is new, fresh, and/or relevant.
STEP 8
EXPLAIN CONNECTION TO “SOCIAL STUDIES 365” Explain how this proposal offers insights into ways that we amplify the importance of social studies education and social studies educators beyond the conference itself. (75 words)
STEP 9
DESCRIBE WHY THE SESSION IS NEEDED Explain what makes this session important and why it should be included in the program. Explain how it connects to current trends in social studies education. (75 words)
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CRAFTING YOUR PROPOSAL (CONTINUED)
STEP 10
WRITE AN INTRIGUING TITLE AND ABSTRACT As you look back over the first nine steps, write a title and abstract that best encapsulates the proposal. Write titles and abstracts that will draw attendees to your session. Note: The title and abstract that are submitted on the proposal are the ones that would be within conference app and printed in the program (title only), should it be selected to be included in the program.
FINAL STEP: SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL Once you are ready to submit the proposal, have a colleague or two read it over and offer suggestions. Then, go to https://www.socialstudies.org/conference/proposals to create an account and submit your proposal by filling out each of these questions on the proposal form.
Chip Dizzard Studio/ https://chipdizard.com
Presenters should limit themselves to being the lead author on two proposals.
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PROPOSAL RUBRIC The title, abstract, and proposal are clearly and strongly aligned. The title and abstract are an accurate and clear representation of the overall proposal.
Participant Experience
The proposal clearly describes the outcomes for participants. There are several opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and engagement with other attendees. Classroom-ready materials are available.
New Ideas
The proposal offers topics that are new and fresh. Participants will learn new pedagogical strategies to enhance their instruction. The topic is relevant to today’s students.
Social Studies 365
The proposal offers insights into ways that we amplify the importance of social studies education and social studies educators beyond the conference itself.
Session Importance
The proposal makes a strong argument for why this session is important for social studies educators. It aligns to current trends and issues in social studies education. This session is one that people would want to attend.
Alignment to Theme
The proposal is strongly aligned to the theme. It promotes the ideas, mission, and values explained in the call for proposals.
Other
Reviewers will be asked to provide an overall recommendation. Chip Dizzard Studio/ https://chipdizard.com
Proposal Alignment
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PROPOSAL TIMELINE January 2026
Proposal Window Opens
January–February 2026
Proposal Window Open Recruit Proposal Reviewers
February 25, 2026
Proposals due at 11:59pm (Hawaii Time)
March 10–31 2026
First Round of Reviews
April–Early May 2026
Second Round of Reviews Finalization of Program Proposals
May 2026
Notifications of Decisions
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socialstudies.org/conference