Montgomery, AL - History repeats itself – three times! The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has awarded almost $2.5 million in Teaching American History Grants to three Alabama school systems.
Alabama’s 2009 grantees are:
· Elmore County Schools - $499,996
· Lee County Schools - $999,957
· Tuscaloosa City Schools - $999,996
The Tuscaloosa City School System also received grants in 2006 and 2003. For 2009, the USDE awarded $123 school districts in 38 states to help schools improve the teaching of American history.
“These grants give school districts an ideal opportunity to partner with other organizations that possess content expertise to embark on a journey to enhance American history education and student academic achievement,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We should seize the moment, and make history by improving the quality of teaching in U.S. history classes, as we prepare students for future careers.”
History is one of the core academic subjects under the Elementary and Secondary Act. Teaching American History Grants support professional development for U.S. history teachers. The grant program is designed to improve student achievement by enhancing teachers’ knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of traditional American history 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, including libraries, museums, nonprofit history or humanities organizations, and higher education institutions.
For more information, contact David Thomas, USDE, 202-401-1576.
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