Teaching American History Programs 2008
The Teaching American History (TAH) program of the US Department of Education has made it possible to offer more content-rich professional development for teachers of history. There are three TAH programs currently running in the Connecticut River Valley. The Five College Public School Parnership serves as the higher education partner for the Springfield Public Schools' (SPS) TAH program. SPS is now in the second year of its third TAH grant. The summer institute "Challenging Democracy: To Form a More Perfect Union" will focus on slavery, the Civil War, and reconstruction. Participation in the SPS program is limited to Springfield teachers. However, teachers from other districts may want to contact one of the following programs for information and availability:
Westfield School District: "American Promises" features annual seminar series, workshops, and individual teacher support in partnership with the Westfield State College Center for Teacher Education and the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. Content includes an examination of significant issues, episodes, and people from the colonial period into the 20th Century within the context of the nation's founding documents. The "Promises of the American Revolution" moves to "Testing the Promises" in the Civil War era, to "Claiming the Promises" in the 20th Century. A permanent, high quality website enables resource sharing and promotes sustainability of professional development in American history. Call the Center for Teacher Education at 572-8150 or 572-8065 for more information.
Hampshire Educational Collaborative: A consortium of western Massachusetts school districts is partnering with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Historic Northampton, and the Springfield Armory to conduct a professional development program in American history. The curriculum, centering on social, political, and legal events, issues, and documents from 1776-1970, includes lectures, seminars, and examination of primary source documents. Also included are field trips to historic sites, summer content immersion, and interactive video conferencing. The project is targeted at 80 teachers in Grades 3-5 and 8-10. Participants have the option of receiving graduate credit. The Summer 2008 program features seminars on immigration, constitutional issues, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, US involvement in the Middle East, and the history of people with disabilities. For a calendar and registration information contact Rich Cairn at rcairn@collaborative.org.
