Nevada Department of EducationNevada Department of Education

Social Studies

Overview

Students growing up in the 21st Century face new and exciting challenges unfamiliar to previous generations. These students will need to be open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives with an understanding of how cultural differences impact the interpretation of events at the local, state, national, and international levels. The purpose of the Nevada Academic Content Standards for Social Studies is to articulate a foundation of skills and content knowledge necessary for Nevada’s students to be successful in our increasingly diverse and global community.

The expectation is that all students will receive grade level, standard align instruction in their social studies classroom, making connections, asking questions, and becoming civically engaged in their community. Nevada students’ will become college, career, civic, and community ready by achieving the following goals:

  • Demonstrate actions that promote civic engagement, including knowledge of our government systems, understand roles in the community, and participate in the democratic process.
  • Develop a greater awareness of diverse cultures through the examination of multiple perspectives and their contributions throughout history.
  • Investigate the patterns of the interconnectedness of politics, economics, culture, language, geography, and human environment interaction through making connection of the past to the present.
  • Utilize critical thinking skills through the use of thought-provoking questions and creating opportunities to form arguments incorporating evidence in academic inquiry.
  • Implement and practice the appropriate use of technology to make informed decisions empowering college, career, and civic readiness.
  • Demonstrate literacy skills through analysis and evaluation of primary and secondary sources while at the same time synthesizing the material and engaging in academic discourse.

Special Announcements

History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year. We encourage you to nominate a teacher that has made an impact-whether it be this year or from past years.

The nomination form takes just two minutes.

Each year we recognize first-rate K-12 teachers-from rural and urban districts, public and independent schools-who find creative ways to bring history to life in their classrooms. Winners are selected from each state and US territory and become finalists for the national award.

State History Teachers of the Year receive

  • $1,000
  • Recognition at a ceremony in their state
  • Free entry to the Gilder Lehrman Teacher Symposium
  • Free classroom materials

The National History Teacher of the Year receives $10,000 and is honored at a ceremony in New York City.

The deadline for 2023 nominations is April 30, 2023