A $993,039 federal grant to Intermediate Unit 17, which serves school districts in Lycoming, Tioga, Bradford and Sullivan counties, will provide the opportunity to improve history instruction to middle and high school students within its service area.
U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, on Thursday announced the Teaching American History grant award from the U.S. Department of Education.
"As a former college professor, I believe that education is the backbone of our nation and understanding our country's history is especially valuable," Carney said. "It is the right of all children to receive an excellent education and it is our responsibility to make sure the history programs have qualified, well-trained teachers, to assure that our students receive the education they deserve."
The local unit is one of only two educational organizations receiving the grants. The other is in Philadelphia.
The program is designed to promote teaching American history as a separate subject within core curriculum, improve teachers' knowledge and appreciation of the subject and raise student achievement.
Preparations are being made to facilitate the program throughout the unit's 19 local public school districts, according to Cori Cotner, the unit's educational planning division director.
Although she said more details should take shape later this month, the plan already is forming.
Deployment of the three-year grant program will begin this school year.
If more money is available and the local participants meet program demands, Cotner said a contingency option could extend the program an extra two years.
"The main thrust of the grant is to improve student education through the professional development of the teachers," said Cotner.
The grant, which requires no local monetary matches, will pay for all costs related to teachers participating in at least 13 instructional days throughout the year.
Participating teachers and school districts will be compensated through the grant for expenses, including substitute teachers, Cotner said.
Two of the days will be field trips the teachers will take to historical sites within the state, exact locations Cotner said still need to be named.
The remaining 11 instructional days will be spread throughout the calendar year and will involve teachers alternating visits between the unit's Williamsport and Canton offices for seminars.
Course outlines for most of the seminars still need to be developed, although Cotner said the teachers will receive special computerized technology training at the first one scheduled for Oct. 25.
She said the teachers will integrate the new technology into their own classrooms, where students will continue to learn about American history through writing and literacy.
From November through June, the courses are expected to involve historians visiting the local intermediate unit offices to provide special American history instruction.
Further learning for participating teachers is expected to include summer instruction at Rowan University in New Jersey, where attainment of advanced placement accreditation is possible.
"If they get certified to teach AP history, they could offer AP history at their school," Cotner said.
