The National Humanities Center's seminar model of teacher professional development makes a solid foundation for projects funded under the U.S. Department of Education's Teaching American History (TAH) program. Since 2002 the Center's approach has served as the basis for six successful TAH proposals that have brought more than $5 million to school districts in Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Carolina. When part of a TAH project, the Center provides training and consultation to organizers and teachers so that they can not only create seminars during their project but also sustain them when the grant ends.

Through the TAH program, the Department of Education seeks to deepen students' knowledge of American history. It does so by supporting professional development initiatives of up to three years that help teachers acquire the knowledge and skills to teach traditional American history in an exciting and engaging way. TAH grants are competitive. To receive one, a local educational agency must agree to carry out the proposed activities in partnership with an organization that offers extensive content expertise. The National Humanities Center qualifies as such an organization. In addition, the project must incorporate the principles of effective, research-based professional development. The Center's model meets this requirement. (For an analysis comparing the Center's approach with research-based professional development standards, please visit https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/npdstandards.htm.)

To learn more about the Teaching American History program, visit the Department of Education's website at https://www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/index.html.