This study examines the movement to integrate LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) history into high school US history courses. Using such primary sources as government documents, classroom resources, and organizational agendas, and oral history interviews with teachers, gay rights activists, and scholars, the study probes grassroots…

The Civics Education Initiative is a project of the Joe Foss Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to shaping "young Americans for civic engagement as voters and informed members of their community." The three-year initiative, which launched in September 2015 and concludes in September 2017, has three goals: (1) To ensure students graduate…

John Dewey said that "democracy needs to be reborn in each generation and education is its midwife." While there has been criticism of the Bush administration's post-9/11 agenda, there is little recognition of the role that his education policy played to rebirth democracy for a nation in crisis. This paper analyzes the ways that 9/11 has…

The report looks to the future of American history education. The report grows out of national and state polls that the Foundation conducted in late 2018 on Americans' knowledge of the history of their country. The Foundation's initial poll found that two out of three Americans were incapable of passing the U.S. citizenship test and led the…

The authors extend the literature on multicultural democratic citizenship education (Marri, 2005) with a case study about how a highly esteemed high school teacher involved a heterogeneous group of students in a rigorous, engaging, critical study of U.S. History. Mr. Scott's teaching was noteworthy in its community building, thorough disciplinary…

This program is intended for easy incorporation into curricula on U.S. history, state and local government, or contemporary issues and events. The objective is for high school students to gain direct exposure to the workings of the Connecticut state legislature and the decision-making process. The teacher's manual contains an introduction, a guide…

Twelve lesson plans on the Bill of Rights are featured in these materials for Nebraska senior high school students. The 12 lessons include: (1) The Bill of Rights--Introductory Unit; (2) Freedom of Speech; (3) Freedom of the Press; (4) Free Press/Fair Trial; (5) Freedom of Religion; (6) The Right to Keep and Bear Arms; (7) Due Process; (8) Search…

Developed for California high school teachers, this guide is designed to help them clarify the role of the state government and improve students' understanding of the democratic process through their acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. The guide provides the tools necessary to help students inform themselves about: current economic,…

Designed for students, this survey of American history, culture, government, economics, and geography tests their knowledge in these areas through a variety of questions. The questions are organized into 12 subtopics divided among 4 major categories: 5 topics under History, 5 under Government, 1 under Economics, and 1 under Geography. The topic…

With the improvement of U.S.-Soviet relations in recent years, there is much reason to take a fresh look at U.S. foreign policy. This unit provides secondary students with an opportunity to examine U.S. policy toward the Caribbean and Central America. Composed of four chapters, the first chapter examines the economic and military concerns that…

This booklet is designed to help student participants in Close Up's Washington and Williamsburg Special Focus Program make connections between colonial Williamsburg (Virginia) and the present. Students are encouraged to see Williamsburg as a historical backdrop by which to study four fundamental ideas that have shaped the development of the United…

Students should achieve a higher level of understanding and appreciation of the evolving nature of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance to contemporary societal issues by studying historical documents from the period of time between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. This document begins with a history of that period and of the…

A suburban New Jersey high school's inclusion of Paul Robeson as a case study in peacebuilding citizenship education is profiled. Instructional approaches as well as student responses are described, highlighting the ways in which Robeson's life history intersected with core curriculum themes in U.S. and world history. Evidence from student work…

This book offers a groundbreaking examination of citizenship education programs that serve contemporary youth in schools and communities across the United States. These programs include social studies classes and curricula, school governance, and community-based education efforts. The book takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the…

Recognizing the value of studying U.S. history and the contribution of the textbook to the curriculum, Gagnon examines five leading U.S. history textbooks with regard to two questions: (1) how helpful are these books for teaching democracy's ideas, practices, and adventures in the United States, and (2) what might they add to promote political…