AMERICAN HISTORY TEACHING GRANTS AWARDED

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in April announced the award of $114.7 million for 121 new grants to improve the quality of American history education. The grants are being awarded to school districts in 40 states nationwide.

Oklahoma Grantees Include:
CRESCENT - Crescent Public School, $499,371.
HOMINY - Osage County Interlocal Cooperative, $499,194.
STONEWALL - Stonewall School District 30, $999,351.
TULSA - Tulsa County Independent School District No. 1,$979,536.

"The Teaching American History grant program offers educators opportunities to work with colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, libraries, or museums to learn more about our country's history, culture, and democratic tradition," said Secretary Spellings. "By providing professional development for teachers, we can help them support young people in becoming active, informed citizens."

The Teaching American History grant program is designed to improve student achievement by enhancing teachers' knowledge of traditional American history. This is accomplished through intensive ongoing professional development in both content and research-based teaching strategies. Grants fund projects for up to five years, and grantees must partner with one or more organizations that have extensive knowledge of American history, such as libraries, museums, nonprofit history or humanities organizations and higher education institutions.

History is one of the core academic subjects under the No Child Left Behind Act. The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is commonly known as the "Nation's Report Card," shows some overall improvement in history performance at all three grade levels, however, less than one-quarter of America's students in grades 4, 8, and 12 are performing at the highest, or proficient, level in American history.

Please click here for more information about the Teaching American History Grant program, including a complete list of grantees.