Grantee: Cooperative Educational Service Agency 2, Milton, WI
Project Name: Dialogues with Democracy
Project Director: Nikki Mandell (262) 472-1523
Funding: $855,463
Number of Teachers Served: 75
Number of School Districts Served: 75
Number of Students Served: No information available

Inspired by the Jeffersonian belief that democracy depends upon an educated citizenry, this collaboration to provide professional development for U.S History teachers in grades 4-12 teams the largest and most diverse public school district consortium in Wisconsin with University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Wisconsin Historical Society to provide theme-focused summer institutes and school year activities focused on classroom applications including roundtable discussions, 1-day workshops, and lectures. Teachers work with historians to explore how primary sources can be integrated into classroom activities. Participants receive a Teacher's Bookshelf of materials and can earn graduate credits. Themes include: becoming American, democracy and the challenge of war, and economic opportunity and expansion.

Grantee: Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6, Oshkosh, WI
Project Name: Rediscovering Our Past: New Directions in U.S. History Instruction Program
Project Director: Mike Derr (920) 236-0514
Funding: $762,857
Number of Teachers Served: 320
Number of School Districts Served: 49
Number of Students Served: No information available

In a program designed to enhance teacher content knowledge, build capacity to use innovative strategies, boost student knowledge and research skills using primary sources, and establish a cadre of "lead teachers," 40 teachers in grades 5-12 will annually enroll in one-week summer institutes and participate in workshops, consultations, and historic site visits. An additional 200 teachers will participate in school-based workshops, in-services and training, and receive mentoring from lead teachers. Partnering with school districts are: Oshkosh Public Museum, Outagamie Public Museum, Hearthstone Museum, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Archives and Area Research Center, Lawrence University, Ripon College and Organization of American Historians. Summer institute content will address: women in U.S. History, Civil War, military history, race relations, historical methods, Constitution, 19th century political and social history, post World War I, Colonial America and the Revolution, Great Depression, and Native American history. Efforts include outreach to area Laotian, Hmong, and Hispanic organizations for assistance in developing effective instructional approaches.