Implementing the C3 Framework: What is our Task as Social Studies Leaders?
This National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) article provides guidance for district- and school-level instructional leaders as they help their colleagues learn about the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. The NCSS President, Dr. Michelle Herczog, wrote the article and adapted a set of accompanying tools from Achieve the Core. This resource identifies four instructional shifts that are reflected in the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, and it makes suggestions for how to share information about the instructional shifts with teachers. The resource includes four tools that leaders can use to support local communication and capacity building related to the C3 Framework. One tool is a discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about practices that a team is aiming to change, the research that drives this change, and classroom evidence that would be indicators of the change, as well as other topics. A related tool prompts leaders and teachers to consider measurable indicators and expectations for classroom implementation. A third tool outlines four phases of standards implementation, and has suggestions for how leaders can think about local building capacity. Finally, a fourth tool guides leaders and teachers to consider the main instructional shifts in relation to practice, challenges, opportunities, and next steps for integrating these instructional approaches as part of the social studies curriculum.
This NCSS article and its related tools are useful resources for district and school leaders as they plan to implement and communicate with colleagues about the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards. The article outlines critical information about the instructional shifts that are reflected in the C3 Framework, and the tools provide important questions to consider when sharing, interpreting, and planning to implement the Framework. This resource can help leaders think about how to share and discuss the C3 Framework in a meaningful and substantive way.