TAH Grants in Danger of Disappearing..

The "Teaching American History Program"

I know many of you became members of NCHE because of the Teaching American History Program (TAH) and many of you have participated in engaging, exciting and enlightening professional development in history connected to TAH. Congress is now considering a suggestion made by the administration that we believe
endangers TAH. The 2010-11 Federal budget has shifted the line-item for the Teaching American History Grant program into a large consolidated group of programs (at least seven) called Effective Teaching and Learning for a Well-Rounded Education. From this pool of funding, grants will be made for TAH.

Of greater concern, the administration announced that the next step might be to zero out all funding for TAH programs by 2011. This would effectively end TAH. (It is important to note, however, that existing grant contracts appear in the budget be funded to completion.)

As one of the leading forces in the creation of the TAH program, NCHE is very concerned about this decision. We believe that professional development among elementary and secondary teachers is vital to not only building good habits of the mind but also in promoting outstanding history education. TAH has been, and continues to be, the only source of professional development for many teachers on a national scale. TAH has also created a wonderful "ripple effect," as teachers directly impacted by the program serve as mentors for other history teachers in their school and district. We also believe that history is much more than just another subject in a "well rounded education" -- it is an essential and central part of the necessary education all students must be provided.

So we ask our members, especially those who have been involved in these programs, to contact their congressional representatives, senators and the administration and inform them of the value and importance of this program.

Fritz Fischer
Chair, Board of Trustees, National Council for History Education
Professor of History
Director of History Education
University of Northern Colorado