National Coalition for History

STATUS

On June 25, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a Labor, Health and Human Services and Education fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget bill (S. 3230, S. Rept. 110-410) that includes $120 million in funding for the Teaching American History grants program at the U.S. Department of Education. This reflects a $2.1 million increase over the FY 2008 funding level of $117.9 million. The Committee rejected the Bush administration’s request that the program be cut to $50 million.

The same day, the House Appropriations Committee began its markup of the Labor, HHS and Education bill. However, when Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-CA) attempted to bring up the stalled House Interior Appropriations bill as an amendment to the Labor, HHS bill, Chairman David Obey (D-WI) angrily adjourned the hearing. While consideration of the House version of the Labor, HHS and Education bill by the full Appropriations Committee is now in limbo, the draft bill contains $117.9 million in funding for the TAH program in FY ‘09.

In addition, before adjourning the House Appropriations Committee included as part of a manager’s amendment language offered by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) to provide $1 million in funding for the National History Day program. If passed, this would mark the first time that National History Day had received federal funds.

Teaching American History Grants FY ’09 Budget summary:

• $120 million (FY ’09 Senate Labor, HHS, & Education Appropriations bill, S. 3230)
• $117.9 million (FY ’09 House Labor, HHS, & Education Appropriations Subcommittee)
• $50 million (FY ’09 President’s request)
• $117.9 million (FY ’08 enacted)

Background

In 2001, President Clinton signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill that authorized a $50 million earmark for history education designed to begin to address what had been characterized by Congress as “the troubling historical illiteracy of our next generation of leaders.” In FY-2002, due to the leadership of Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), Congress authorized a five-year “Teaching American History” grant program in the Department of Education, and then appropriated $100 million to the program in FY-2002 and FY 2003. For the past five fiscal years, approximately $120 million a year was appropriated to carry out the program.

The TAH grant program improves the quality of instruction in American history. Grant awards assist elementary and secondary schools in implementing research-based methods for improving the quality of instruction, professional development, and teacher education in American history. Funds are used for competitive grants that are allocated to local education agencies (LEAs) though funding proposals must include a partnership component with an educational non-profit and/or history-based organization.