2020 NLRE at NCSS: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is NCSS and the NCSS annual conference?
A: The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is the largest professional organization for social studies educators in the United States. Its annual conference is the largest in its field, with an attendance of approximately 4,000 social studies educators from the United States and around the world. NCSS was established in 1921, and the 2020 marks the start of the organization’s Centennial Celebration. Learn more about NCSS.
Q: What is the ABA’s role as a partner of NCSS during the Centennial Celebration?
A: As a partner of NCSS, the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education (ABA), along with other conference partners, is helping develop, plan, and coordinate a variety of programs as part of the NCSS Centennial Celebration for 2020-2021. The ABA will host its National Law-Related Education Conference as part of the 2020 NCSS Virtual Conference, and the 100th Anniversary Conference, scheduled to take place in Washington, DC in December 2021. The ABA will collaborate with NCSS to offer other law-related education programming at Centennial Celebration events, including the 101st Annual Meeting in Minneapolis in November 2021, and virtual events in 2020 and 2021.
Q: Why is the ABA partnering with NCSS to host the next National Law-Related Education Conference?
A: The NCSS has a long history of valuing law-related education within the social studies field. Dr. Isidore Starr, the “father of law-related education,” served as president of NCSS during his career. The ABA has a longstanding, valuable relationship with NCSS that includes regular “Lessons on the Law” contributions to the NCSS publication Social Education, and presentation of exhibits and sessions at the NCSS annual conference. The ABA has also been involved with leadership and planning initiatives of NCSS: as elected members of organization committees, partners in grant proposals, and on special NCSS taskforces. A partnership with NCSS streamlines increasingly limited resources.
Q: What will sessions of the NLRE Conference look like as part of the NCSS Conference?
A: NLRE Conference sessions will be integrated into the schedule of sessions at the 2020 NCSS Virtual Conference and be open to all attendees. They will appear in the NCSS conference program with a special icon identifying them as part of the National Law-Related Education Conference. There will also be a law-related track within the conference program to group law-related sessions. For additional convenience, there will be a listing of all featured NLRE sessions shared online in the weeks leading up to the 2020 virtual conference.
Q. Will it cost me more to attend the NLRE Conference as part of NCSS, and how do I register?
A: No. All registrations for the NLRE Conference must be made through the NCSS conference registration website, and it’s a registration for the NCSS meeting, since the conferences are integrated. There is no additional charge to attend NLRE sessions or NCSS sessions; all sessions at the conference are included in one registration fee.
Q: Will presenters for the conference need to register?
A: Yes. If you are selected as a presenter, you will be required to register for the conference by the advance registration deadline of November 27, 2020.
Q: How should I prepare sessions materials if I’m a presenter?
A: Presenters involved with NLRE-related activities during the NCSS Centennial Celebration will receive instructions for preparing their sessions from the ABA, in coordination with NCSS. Virtual presenters may work with ABA staff to produce their session. All presenters are responsible for developing the content of their session and formatting any presentation materials according to instructions.
Q: Will the ABA present the Isidore Starr Award for Excellence in Law-Related Education?
A: Yes, the ABA will present the Isidore Starr Award to an outstanding educator as part of the NCSS Virtual Conference in December 2020. More details about the award and the awards presentation will be made available soon.