American Voices: Teaching American History Grants Rethink History Education and Professional Development

• In Event: Roundtable Session 95
  In Roundtable Session: Making Productive Use of New Instructional Techniques for Teacher Professional Development

Abstract

This Paper examines the efforts of the University of Houston and the Houston Independent School District to use Teaching American History grants to provide district history teachers with unique professional development opportunities through partnerships with museums, local historians, and community organizations. In an effort to improve history education and achievement for a large and diverse urban student population, emphasis is placed on designing and implementing multicultural curriculum. Using quantitative and qualitative methods including experimental and quasi-experimental design, surveys, and interviews, findings suggest the Teaching American History grant is effective in engaging both teachers and their students in a multicultural history curriculum, and has a significant impact on student academic achievement in American history.

Authors

• Christine Beaudry, University of Houston

• Samuel Richard Brower, University of Houston

• Cameron S. White, University of Houston

• Angela L. Miller, Houston Independent School District

• Sara G. Mcneil, University of Houston

• Sabrina Marsh, University of Houston

• Amy Denise Mulholland, University of Houston