$1.7 Million to Fund Professional Development for History Teachers
September 25, 2003
NASHVILLE
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded more
than $1.7 million in Teaching American History grants to fund professional
development of history teachers in Tennessee.
Two consortia of schools, led by the Wilson Co. and Loudon Co. school
systems, will receive the grants, which will benefit schools in 20
districts. Wilson Co. will partner with Volunteer State Community
College, and Loudon Co. will partner with the University of Tennessee
and the East Tennessee Historical Society to hold professional development
events, including weeklong seminars for teachers of American history.
Teachers of grades 4, 5, 8 and high school will be eligible to receive
tuition and stipends to the training seminars.
"Children need to know the history of our country in order to
be able to help shape its future," said Tennessee Commissioner
of Education Lana C. Seivers. "Teaching American History grants
will provide much-needed resources to further the knowledge and passion
among teachers of this critical subject."
The Loudon Co. schools consortium will receive $964,297 to benefit
school systems in Blount Co., Bradley Co., Loudon Co., Lenoir City,
McMinn Co., Monroe Co., and Polk Co., and Sweetwater. The Wilson Co.
group will receive $763,617 to benefit schools in Clay Co., Jackson
Co., Macon Co., Overton Co., Pickett Co., Putnam Co., Robertson Co.,
Smith Co., Sumner Co., Trousdale Co., Wilson Co., and the Lebanon
Special School District.
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.
Nationwide, 114 school districts in 38 states will receive $98.5
million in Teaching American History grants this year.
one
one
