Over the past few decades, social studies education has quietly slipped down the priority list in schools across the nation. Subjects like history, civics, and geography—once the backbone of a well-rounded education—are now overshadowed by the growing emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). While STEM is undeniably important, this shift has left students with fewer opportunities to explore the foundations of our democracy, understand current events, and engage in critical conversations about our society. Why does this matter? When social studies is pushed aside, students miss out on learning the skills they need to think critically about government, policies, and civic responsibilities. They lose access to the historical context that helps them make sense of today’s world. Worse, the politicization of certain topics has made teaching social studies more challenging than ever, with educators walking a tightrope to avoid controversy or backlash. In many school dist...