Nearly $100 million available to help schools improve history teaching
| FOR RELEASE: May 1, 2003 |
Contact: Susan Aspey Dan Langan (202) 401-1576 |
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U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced the availability of nearly $100 million for Teaching American History grants and urged local school districts and charter schools to apply for funding.
"The strength of a nation begins in the classroom, and if you cannot read, then you cannot learn history -- or grasp what it means to be a citizen," Secretary Paige said. "Without education, you cannot reap the many blessings of freedom and the American dream.
"I'm pleased to announce the availability of nearly $100 million for grants to improve the teaching of American history in our schools, and I encourage local school districts and charter schools to apply for funds."
The announcement comes as Secretary Paige joined First Lady Laura Bush, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough and historian Robert Remini at the National Museum of American History for the "We the People Forum on American History, Civics and Service." The forum is part of the Bush Administration's ongoing efforts to find ways government can support the teaching of American history and the democratic traditions of the United States. The forum was co-hosted by the Department of Education, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the National Endowment for the Humanities with the USA Freedom Corps.
A grant application notice will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days. The application deadline is July 7.
The Teaching American History grant program supports three-year projects to improve teachers' knowledge, understanding and appreciation for American history through intensive, ongoing professional development. Projects must be in partnership with organizations that have extensive knowledge of American history, including libraries, museums, nonprofit history or humanities organizations and higher education institutions.
Project activities should enable teachers to develop further expertise in American history, teaching strategies and other essential elements of teaching to higher standards. Nearly 175 school districts in 45 states and the District of Columbia currently receive Teaching American History grants.
Students who know and appreciate the great ideas, issues, and events of American history are more likely to understand and exercise their civic rights and responsibilities. This understanding of traditional American history will be enhanced if it is taught as a separate academic subject and not as a component of social studies. Teachers must have strong content knowledge to teach students effectively about the significant issues, episodes, individuals, and turning points in the history of the United States.
School districts with enrollments of less than 300,000 students are eligible for grants of $350,000-$1 million. School districts with more than 300,000 students are eligible for grants of between $500,000 and $2 million.
More information about the Teaching American History grant program may be obtained by contacting Christine Miller in the Office of Innovation and Improvement at christine.miller@ed.gov or http://www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/history.html.
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