What We Do

The Social Studies Accelerator amplifies and connects leaders and leading practices across the PK-12 ecosystem through:

  • We engage and connect a diverse coalition of practitioners, leaders, and partner organizations committed to developing and implementing culturally sustaining PK-12 social studies. Read more about our partnerships work below.

  • We document and share promising practices, learnings, and materials via our learning labs and resource portals to accelerate the implementation of high-quality, culturally sustaining social studies in school systems. Read more about our learning labs below.

  • We connect solutions providers and educators to effective communications supports via learning labs and strategic partnerships that help them underscore the need for anti-racist, culturally sustaining curricula.

  • We identify aligned partnerships, initiatives, and resources to ensure this work is sustainable and will achieve long-term impact for students.

HOW WE ENGAGE AND ACTIVATE OUR COALITION OF DIVERSE LEADERS

  • Partnerships

    We partner with organizations across the PK-12 space who are interested in bringing the Social Studies Accelerator’s knowledge and connections to their work and their networks. We present at convenings, support individuals and networks, and make connections all to advance social studies that represents, affirms, and meaningfully engages students nationwide. Our goal is to build strategic partnerships that will support the long-term sustainability of the work that is needed to accelerate adoption of culturally sustaining social studies education across the country. See below for more highlights from our partnerships work and our Allied Organizations page for more information about our partners. If your organization is interested in partnering with us on an event or initiative, please reach out at info@socialstudiesaccelerator.org.

  • Learning Labs

    Our Learning Lab initiatives equip educators with programs and opportunities to connect with each other, develop new ideas, and grow the necessary knowledge to increase the impact of their work. The PK-12 education space has a breadth of talent and expertise amongst organizations and individuals committed to building out diverse social studies options. Yet we know that these groups could do even more with stronger tools, resources, and support. Our pilot Learning Lab Initiative, the Content Creator Markets Matter (C2M2) Cohort, brings together a diverse group of social studies curriculum, content, and professional development providers for six months of deep learning from field experts on high-quality social studies education, the curriculum market, messaging in the current climate, and assessing impact and efficacy.

  • Events & Opportunities

    Bringing people together to collaborate, share resources and ideas, and spread inspiration is at the heart of what we do. Whether it's convening panels of experts to shed light on key issues impacting PK-12 social studies, showcasing organizations or individuals doing excellent work, or hosting learning spaces to better understand strategies and barriers to adopting culturally responsive methods and materials, our work is rooted in a common cause to deepen connectivity between educators, school systems, and curriculum and professional-development providers. Visit our News and Opportunities page to stay up to date on the latest from our team and partners.

  • Teacher Advisory Group

    The work of the Social Studies Accelerator requires insight, knowledge, and guidance that only current practitioners can provide. Comprised of National Board Certified Teachers, district and state teachers of the year, public health specialists, and instructional and nonprofit program leaders from across the U.S., our teacher advisory group helps us curate best practices and identify high-quality curricular materials to increase the number of students learning culturally sustaining social studies that reflect our country’s rich diversity. The Teacher Advisory Group provides guidance on Accelerator strategy and how we can best support creators and educators in providing culturally sustaining social studies. Visit Our Team page to learn more about its members.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR PARTNERSHIP WORK

  • Working Groups with History Co:Lab

    In partnership with The History Co:Lab, we are engaging a wide-range of social studies organizations to understand the barriers to implementing culturally sustaining content in schools. We are launching working groups to address those barriers.

  • Learning Opportunities with TNTP

    We're working with TNTP to provide a learning opportunity that supports the identification, design, and implementation of culturally responsive and sustaining social studies education. Participating TNTP clients walk away from the session also understanding how to set up a culturally responsive social studies vision. Click here to for highlights and a recording of our most recent learning session.

  • Education Markets Learning Lab with EdSolutions

    We are working closely with EdSolutions to develop programming for our Content Creator Markets Matter Cohort. EdSolutions is an education-focused strategy and innovation consulting firm led by advisory board member Jeff Livingston. The EdSolutions Team is developing programming and curriculum for content creators to better understand the PK-12 market landscape and develop ideas to scale the reach of their products and services to more systems and schools.

  • Provider Showcases with Digital Promise

    With Digital Promise, we convened four curriculum providers to meet with PK-12 education leaders at their 2022 League of Innovative Schools convening. Providers showcased their social studies offerings and engaged with attendees about the unique circumstances and barriers to systems adopting culturally responsive and diverse curricula.

Inspired to take action? Stay in touch by joining our mailing list or emailing us at info@socialstudiesaccelerator.org with ideas on how we can partner with you.