Data Review Committee (DRC) Applications

Submit by September 10th if interested

Applications are now open for individuals interested in serving on the Social Studies Data Review Committee (DRC) as part of North Carolina’s Social Studies Standard Course of Study review and revision process.

Applications will be accepted through Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Individuals may apply to serve on the DRC for any grade level, K-8, or for a specific high school course, 9-12.

What Does a Data Review Committee Member Do?

The Data Review Committee plays an important role in ensuring that decisions about the Social Studies Standard Course of Study are informed by evidence and stakeholder feedback. DRC members will review and analyze multiple sources of information collected during the standards review process, including:

• Standard-by-Standard survey data;
• feedback from regional focus groups and interviews;
• relevant research;
• applicable state and federal policies; and
• legislation pertaining to Social Studies.

With training and guidance from the NCDPI Social Studies team, DRC members will examine these data sources to identify trends, recurring themes, areas of agreement and concern, and other findings that may inform the standards review process. The committee will then develop recommendations based on its analysis for consideration as the standards process moves from review into revision.

The DRC does not write or revise the standards. Its role is to analyze the evidence collected during the review phase and make recommendations that help inform the subsequent revision process. For additional information about the DRC, including the selection process and scope of work, please review the details included in the application or see pages 14-16 of the North Carolina SCOS Internal Procedures Manual. 

Because DRC members help analyze the feedback and develop recommendations that may guide revision, individuals selected to serve on the DRC cannot also serve on the Standards Writing Team (SWT) convened during the revision phase.

Who Can Apply?

The Social Studies DRC will include a diverse range of external stakeholders, including:

• K-12 educators;
• school and district educational leaders;
• college or university professors;
• Social Studies content professionals;
• experts from partner organizations; and
• community members

Members will be selected from across North Carolina’s eight education regions and will represent a variety of professional backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and familiarity with the current Social Studies Standard Course of Study.

Applicants will be notified of their selection the week of September 21, 2026, and DRC work will begin on October 14, 2026.

• Application Deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026
• Selection Notification: Week of September 21, 2026
• DRC Work Begins: October 14, 2026

Please note that dates are tentative and subject to change.

Hub Spotlight: On-Demand Professional Learning

• New to the NC Social Studies Standards?
  
  • Start with One-Stop Shop: Refresher on the Social Studies Standards & Supports. This introductory session provides an overview of the standards, support documents, and resources available to help educators confidently implement the North Carolina Social Studies Standard Course of Study.
• Social Studies & ELA Integration
  • Looking for ways to strengthen literacy while teaching social studies? Explore the Social Studies and ELA Integration professional learning sessions for practical strategies that intentionally connect disciplinary literacy with meaningful social studies instruction.
• World History Webinar Series (2023–Present)
  • Looking to strengthen your World History content knowledge? Explore the World History Webinar Series, a growing collection of professional learning sessions that has supported educators since 2023. Designed for 6th grade, 7th grade, and high school World History teachers, these webinars feature historians, university faculty, and content experts who explore global regions, historical themes, and contemporary issues while providing classroom-ready resources and instructional strategies. This series is an excellent resource to revisit throughout the year.
• Integrating Inquiry Skills & Indicators
  • Inquiry is at the heart of the North Carolina Social Studies Standards. The Integrating the Inquiry Skills/Indicators professional learning session helps educators move beyond teaching content alone by demonstrating practical ways to embed compelling questions, source analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and informed action into daily instruction. This session offers practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.
• Teaching Social Studies with Primary Sources
  • Help students think like historians by incorporating primary sources into everyday instruction. This on-demand professional learning session provides practical strategies for analyzing photographs, letters, maps, speeches, political cartoons, and other historical documents while strengthening historical thinking and disciplinary literacy skills.

Constitution Day is September 17:
Resources to Support Civic Learning

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed annually on September 17, provide an opportunity for schools to celebrate the United States Constitution while engaging students in meaningful learning about the principles of American government and civic participation. In accordance with Section 111 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, educational institutions receiving federal funds are required to provide an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for students on or around September 17 each year.

The NC K–12 Social Studies Hub offers a variety of resources and professional learning opportunities to help educators plan engaging Constitution Day experiences, including professional learning, instructional resources, and classroom-ready materials. Featured resources include:

• Constitution Day Resource Collection with instructional ideas and classroom supports
• American History Webinar Series, featuring sessions that deepen educators' understanding of key constitutional principles and pivotal moments in U.S. history
• Integrating Inquiry Skills & Indicators, providing practical strategies for engaging students in questioning, evidence analysis, and informed civic discussion
• Primary Source instructional resources that help students analyze the Constitution and related historical documents using disciplinary literacy practices

Educators may also wish to incorporate activities such as public readings of the Constitution, mock constitutional conventions, panel discussions, guest speakers, primary source investigations, or civic simulations that encourage students to explore the Constitution's enduring influence on American democracy.

Additional Constitution Day resources offering lesson plans, historical documents, multimedia resources, and interactive activities for learners of all ages are available from the:

• U.S. Department of Education,
• National Constitution Center,
• National Archives,
• Library of Congress,
• Congress,
• Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the
• Federal Judiciary

As the nation continues preparations for America's 250th anniversary in 2026, Constitution Day provides an especially meaningful opportunity to help students examine the founding principles of the United States while strengthening their civic knowledge, historical thinking, and constitutional literacy.

Cashing In on Financial Literacy

Has your school signed up to be home to one of the inaugural Cash Clubs?

This new financial literacy initiative from the N.C. Department of State Treasurer is meant to help supplement financial literacy efforts being taught at the high school level. The good news? These clubs are one-stop shops, receiving a complete, ready-to-use toolkit each month. A downloadable PDF includes: topics, discussion points, activities, and even quizzes and suggested speakers, all inspired by the award-winning Finance Fridays newsletter.

Time to make some money moves with the inaugural Cash Club. To learn more or sign up, reach out at FinanceFridays@nctreasurer.gov.

Holocaust Education Field Trip Opportunity!

On September 30th, the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center will be hosting Merril Eisenhower at the Knight Theatre for an educational program from 12-1:30 pm. Drawing upon his family's stewardship of President Eisenhower's legacy and his extraordinary access to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Merrill Eisenhower will offer unique insights into the moment General Eisenhower witnessed the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps—and why he believed preserving evidence of the Holocaust was a moral imperative for future generations. 

Though this may be too short notice to organize a field trip and to secure bus funding, the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center hopes at least some of you can make it. If you are interested, please respond and inform them of the approximate number of students/chaperones you'd like to bring. The program will take place in a similar capacity, with a focus on introducing the museum concept that evening as well, and you are all invited!

 More information will be posted soon. Tickets for this historic event will go on sale August 18 at Blumenthal Arts. A variety of ticket options will be available, including a VIP experience featuring an exclusive pre-event reception with the speaker, light hors d'oeuvres, and the opportunity to meet Merrill Eisenhower personally.

United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Application Available!

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun its statewide application process in North Carolina. Information and applications may be found at 2026 United States Senate Youth Program. The United States Senate Youth Program is a civic engagement and education program that provides an educational opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in pursuing college coursework in history, political science, or public service.

Two students will be selected as delegates and will win a $12,500 scholarship. The delegates will also attend a mandatory week-long education program in Washington, D.C. in March.

• North Carolina applications opened August 1 and will be accessible until October 4, 2026.
• The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2026.

ML/Title III Webinar Series Begins September 2nd! 

The ML/Title III team is offering a PD Series Unpacking Language Demands in Content Standards to deepen understanding of language development and its role in content-area instruction for multilingual learners (MLs). Participants will explore connections between language and academic standards, analyze language demands in classroom tasks, and develop collaborative planning and instructional strategies. This series supports Principle #2: Strengthen Core Instruction, Priority 1 Key Action for the Classroom in the ML/Title III Strategic Framework. 

The first webinar in the series will take place on September 2 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Understanding Second Language Acquisition. Build your foundational knowledge of second language acquisition and examine how multilingual learners develop language across listening, speaking, reading, and writing domains. The session will explore factors that influence language development and implications for classroom instruction. Participants will engage in learning that advances Principle 2: Strengthen Core Instruction Priority 1 - Key Action for the Classroom identified in the ML/Title III Framework.

Register for upcoming webinars:

• How Language Functions within the Content Area Classroom, December 2, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
• Unpacking Language in Content Area Standards, February 10, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
• Co-planning and Co-teaching Aligned Instruction for ML Success, April 14, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Connect with K-12 Social Studies on Instagram and Facebook!

We’re excited to announce that the NCDPI K–12 Social Studies team now has NEW social media channels!  Follow us for the latest updates, professional learning opportunities, classroom resources, and stories highlighting the incredible work of educators and students across North Carolina.

Follow Us Here:

• Instagram: @NCDPI_Social_Studies
• Facebook: NCDPI Social Studies

Plus, stay connected with our Character Education initiatives:

• Instagram: @NCDPI_Character_Education
• Facebook: NCDPI Character Education