Alarmed by the possibility of social studies being overlooked in this context of new national disciplinary standards, National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools convened a meeting of 15 national organizations representing civics, economics, geography, and history, to begin a conversation about a set of Common State Standards for Social Studies. The meeting culminated in a collaborative commitment to move forward toward a framework for state standards based on the shared concept that: Social studies is an interdisciplinary exploration of the social sciences and humanities, including civics, history, economics, and geography, in order to develop responsible, informed, and engaged citizens and to foster civic, global, historical, geographic, and economic literacy. It was agreed that the initiative would focus on the subjects identified by the No Child Left Behind Framework as the "core" social studies subjects: civics, economics, geography, and history. At the same time, a group of states organized as the Social Studies Assessment Curriculum and Instruction (SSACI) collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) had initiated a parallel conversation about creating social studies standards that could be used across states. Introduced by colleagues aware of both efforts, the organizations and states joined forces to create what was to become the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. The C3 Framework offers a vision of social studies that is founded on inquiry, and emphasizes the skills and knowledge that prepare young people for college, career, and civic life. The vision has not yet been realized and the road has not been welltraveled, but progress has been made and these aspirations are attainable. Achieving them will confirm the essential role of social studies in our nation's educational system.