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[Audio Only] Social Studies: The Unsung Hero of Student Achievement
June 7, 2024
Podcast episode preview
Hear why social studies deserves a bigger role in student achievement
Listen as Newsela host Dan Cogan-Drew and social studies leaders
discuss how inquiry, relevance, background knowledge, and community
connections can support literacy, engagement, and civic readiness.
In This Episode
Conversation preview
Preview the ideas, examples, and practical questions listeners will
hear in the full episode.
1
Why social studies matters
Hear how social studies can build background knowledge, support
literacy, and help students connect learning to the world around
them.
2
How districts measure impact
Explore examples from Cherry Creek and Racine that connect social
studies instruction to inquiry, engagement, and measurable outcomes.
3
What leaders can take forward
Listen for practical ways to protect instructional time, support
teachers, and build community partnerships around social studies
learning.
Featured Guests
Host Dan Cogan-Drew
Co-founder and Chief Academic Officer, Newsela
Guest Steven Kidd
PreK–12 Performance Improvement Partner for Social Studies, Cherry
Creek School District
Guest Mallory Umar
Assistant Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Racine Unified
School District
Guest Lawrence Paska, Ph.D., CAE
Executive Director, National Council for Social Studies
[Audio Only] Social Studies: The Unsung Hero of Student AchievementExplore how social studies drives literacy, engagement, and civic readiness—and how districts can measure its impact on student achievement.Oct 06, 2026Oct 06, 2026https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66f182e7ce15762d01b32e09/67db15731dc17d86e187f7e6_social-studies-unsung-hero-audio.avif