UA Partners in $1 Million Teaching American History Grant

Akron, Ohio, May 1, 2008 — The University of Akron, Summit County Educational Service Center and Ohio Historical Society have formed a partnership to improve the quality of history education in Summit County, funded by a $1 million Teaching American History grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

School districts in 40 states nationwide will receive funding totaling $114.7 million. In Summit County, the grant will make possible a three-year program called “Ohio as America” that will bring teachers together with historians, museum professionals and educational experts to build connections to enrich the teaching and learning of U.S. history in the region. Using Ohio as a setting, the program will provide professional development activities for history teachers that will enhance their knowledge of significant events, issues and people in American history and suggest innovative methods for teaching history lessons to students. In addition to seminars with historians, teachers will enroll in a two-week, intensive summer institute that will include field trips to historic sites across Ohio.

“I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has selected the Summit County Educational Service Center to receive a $1 million grant for the 'Ohio as America' project," says U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton. "Ohio has a rich and vibrant history, and this funding will provide an opportunity for teachers across the greater Akron area to expand their own knowledge base and develop creative lesson plans to instill a greater appreciation for Ohio and American history in their students.”

“This is the second Teaching American History grant the UA history department has been part of, and we are excited about the potential to build even stronger partnerships in the community and across the state for the teaching and learning of U.S. history,” says Dr. Gregory Wilson, project content advisor and co-author of the grant. “This project builds on our success with our first project, 'Teaching American History: The Akron Plan,' in which we worked with the Akron Public Schools and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Our new project, 'Ohio as America,' expands eligibility of teacher-scholars to all of Summit County through our partnership with the Summit County Educational Service Center. Moreover, by working with the Ohio Historical Society, we can draw upon the rich resources of their collections and utilize many of their historic sites across the state.”

"The Teaching American History grant program offers educators opportunities to work with colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, libraries and museums to learn more about our country's history, culture and democratic traditions," says Pat Clayton, Summit County Educational Service Center social studies consultant. "By providing professional development for teachers, we can help them support young people in becoming actively involved citizens who can make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and for a diverse democratic society."

“The study of history increases student achievement and their ability to engage in critical thinking,” says William K. Laidlaw, Ohio Historical Society executive director and CEO. “This Teaching American History grant will positively affect students in Summit County by improving teachers' knowledge and understanding of U.S. history, including Ohio's rich heritage.”

The Summit County Educational Service Center is committed to providing quality services and learning opportunities for local and affiliated school districts in support of their continuous improvement efforts. The staff of the SCESC is committed to supporting school systems to improve teaching and learning. The ESC primarily serves 16 city and local public school districts in Summit County, representing approximately 53,000 children in grades Pre-K through 12. Additionally, the ESC provides, or has provided, a variety of professional development, technical assistance and other services to more than 40 schools and/or school districts in neighboring counties as well as throughout Ohio. The ESC employs a staff of 225 certificated and support staff.

The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology and natural history. It administers the largest statewide network of sites and museums in the nation. Each year, the Ohio Historical Society reaches more than 100,000 students in the state through its educational programming, including distance learning programs, National History Day in Ohio, History-to-Go visits to schools, school field trips to OHS sites, case histories and in-class presentations by OHS staff. For more information about the Ohio Historical Society and its programs, call 1-800-686-6124 or visit www.ohiohistory.org.

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