ASHP/CML Awarded 2 New Teaching American History Grants

March 30, 2011

ASHP/CML in partnership with Region 3 and Region 4 of New York City public schools and the Program in Social Studies, Department of Secondary Education, Queens College, CUNY has been awarded two new Teaching American History grants by the U.S. Department of Education. The diverse urban schools served by the program have high numbers of students from low-income families, high rates of student failure in U.S. history, and significant numbers of teachers with little American history teaching experience. Activities include four day-long retreats with historians, four day-long retreats with history educators, a two-day leadership retreat, and the use of evaluation data designed to help improve instructional practice and student performance. Participants include 90 teachers in Grades 7, 8, and 11, and 15 social studies instructional supervisors; both groups will disseminate program insights and resources to all history teachers in their districts. The first year of the program focuses on “Defining and Refining Democracy” and includes topics such as the American Revolution, the Constitution, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. The second year continues the theme with topics such as the Rise of Industrial America, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement. The third year’s theme of “American Encounters” will introduce teachers to topics such as Mid 19th Century Immigration, Settling the West, and 20th Century Immigration.