The Social Studies Professional | March 17, 2026 | No. 466

NCSS Executive Director Kelly McFarland Stratman hopes that in this busy season, you are able to make time for yourself and your continued learning. Explore our Spring webinar lineup, or consider submitting a proposal for our Summer Virtual Conference.

On January 30, the U.S. Department of Education published draft regulations to implement student loan provisions in the budget reconciliation bill passed last July (the “One Big Beautiful Bill” or OB3). These regulations exclude education students from a newly created “professional student” category. The exclusion of education students from the “professional student” category has profound symbolic and practical implications. It signals that the federal government does not consider educators to be professionals. And, crucially, it cuts off education students from needed access to federal student loans, threatening their ability to enroll or remain in post-baccalaureate programs.

NCSS has undersigned a letter created by American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) in response to this to these proposed regulations to urge that the definition of professional student in Section 685.102 of the proposed rule be amended to include all students pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees and certificates in the field of education. The full letter can be read here. 

Bring real-world dialogue to your classroom with the Sustainable Food Negotiation Simulation from Earth Day Initiative. Similar to Model UN or mock trial, Earth Day Initiative's sustainability negotiation simulation puts participants into the role of hypothetical stakeholders to solve a sustainable food challenge facing a local community. Download this free resource now.

Hosted by NCSS Partner the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the EE 30 Under 30 Program celebrates young people across the globe who are building a sustainable future through education. The EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 will receive global recognition, join a growing community of inspiring EE leaders, and have access to ongoing opportunities for professional development and networking. Nominate yourself or a young leader you know by March 31, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

On April 14 at 7:00 PM ET, join NCSS and the International Assembly for Economic Literacy Beyond Borders. This timely virtual panel brings together leading scholars in economics and social studies education to explore how to teach trade, labor, supply chains, and global finance in ways that connect directly to students’ civic lives. Gain practical insights to help learners make sense of today’s interconnected and uncertain world. Open to all educators. Register now. 

➭ Your Next Step is Waiting in the NCSS Career Center.

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The Social Studies Professional — known as TSSP — is the official

e-newsletter of National Council for the Social Studies and is published twice a month.

You are receiving this email as one of your NCSS membership benefits. 
To learn more about TSSP, visit http://www.socialstudies.org/publications/tssp.

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