Keynote Title: The Long American Argument: Hope, Anxiety, and the Purpose of the Social Studies

Speaker: Dr. Ryan Wise

Social studies standards have always reflected something larger than curriculum. They reveal what we hope for in the next generation and what we worry might be lost. Drawing on experiences as a high school history teacher, former Director of the Iowa Department of Education, and dean of the Drake University School of Education, Dr. Wise will place Iowa’s new social studies standards within a broader historical and contemporary context. Through stories, primary sources, and insights from recent scholarship, participants will explore how social studies classrooms help students develop knowledge, judgment, civic habits, and a sense of responsibility for the future. 

Here is a preview for the 2026 ICSS Conference.

We hope to see you there!

2026 ICSS Conference Preview: Keynote and Breakout Sessions

Register at this link: 

https://iowacouncilforthesocialstudies19.wildapricot.org/event-6439660