A Chillicothe Constitution Tribune news headline in the July 21, 2004, newspaper read, "Chillicothe R-2 Receives $892,875 History Grant... One of only two districts in state to receive federal grant." This was certainly good news to Chillicothe R-2 school board members, administration, and, particularly, Mr. Mike Lair (pictured at left), CHS social studies department chair. The district was one of only two in the state to receive a Teaching American History grant and only 450-500 districts across the nation usually apply for them. And then, only 110-130 applicants are chosen to receive the grants.

The grant is designed to enhance the teaching of American History by creating a core of people who know how to teach history in grades K-12. Specifically, the grant is designed to help the district establish a network of master teachers and ensure that northwestern Missouri teachers and administrators have the skills, knowledge, and abilities to teach U.S. history. To accomplish that goal, the R-2 school district will work with Missouri Western State University, Central Methodist College, Truman Presidential Museum and Library, the State of Missouri's Office of the Secretary of State Archivist, the Livingston County Library, and 23 northwestern school districts.

PLANNED PROGRAM
The grant is funded over a three-year period with hopes that 150 history teachers from Chillicothe and around northwest Missouri participate in the program free of charge. During the 2004-2005 school year, three inservice days will be held. Beginning in the summer of 2005, the teachers involved will attend a three-week summer school session - the first of three to be held over as many years. During the Summer Institutes, teachers participating in the grant will work in the classroom for a week and then will take related tours. The second 3-week session in 2006 will involve mostly classroom work, and the last 3-week session in 2007 will involve one week in the classroom and two weeks on the road visiting various forts around the nation, ending up at Yellowstone National Park.

FREE GRADUATE HOURS
History teachers who complete just the first 3-week session will receive five free graduate hours. Teachers who simply do the classroom work for one week will net two free graduate hours, and teachers who complete the three-year program will receive 15 free graduate hours. The graduate hours will come from UMKC. As teachers attend the sessions, they will put information on this web site to be used by history teachers around the world as an excellent resource for history teachers.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies is an association of more than 26,000 educators who have come together to strengthen the social studies profession and social studies programs in the schools. For more information on NCSS membership benefits, click here!

Join NCSS: To download a printable NCSS Membership Application, click here. Please return the membership application to Mike Lair at Chillicothe High School, 2801 Hornet Road, Chillicothe, MO 64601.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Our Advisory Committee consists of school administrators, school board members, and community leaders and citizens who desire a high quality of education and support endeavors such as this.

• Dale Wallace - Superintendent, Chillicothe R-II School District
• Judith Shoot, Livingston County Library
• Patty Palmer, Operation Outreach, University of Missouri-Kansas (UMKC)
• John Marcolla, Chillicothe School Board and Investment Broker, Merrill Lynch
• Anne Jeschke, Chillicothe R-II School District Technology Coordinator for Elementary Schools
• Tom Heuertz, Associate Ed. Coordinator, Truman Presidential Library & Museum
• Tom Anderson, Chillicothe High School Principal
• Karie Black, Vocational Resource Educator for Grand River Area Vocational Technical School
• Mike Lair, Project Director, Teaching American History Project, and Social Studies Chair, Chillicothe R-II Schools
• Jeanne Lair, Home Economics Teacher, Chillicothe R-II Schools

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
Other individuals assisting with this history project include:

• Daniel Trifan, Professor of History, Department of History, Philosophy and Geography, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri
• Patrick McLear, author and former Professor of History, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri.
• Kenneth Dagel, Associate Professor, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri, Geography: World Regional; Economic; United States/Canada; Europe; Physical; Geographic Information Systems
• Tom Heuertz, Associate Education Coordinator, Truman Presidential Library & Museum, Independence, Missouri

GRANT PURPOSE
It is an undeniable fact that America cannot afford for its children to thrive in the 21st century ignorant of the events that preceded their own time. Students who know and appreciate the great ideas, issues, and events of American history are more likely to understand and exercise their civic rights, liberties, and responsibilities. The Chillicothe R-II School District (CRSD) believes that what Missouri teachers need are not just one shot trainings on historical facts, but, rather, a sense and understanding of the critical core of knowledge that has inspired the makers of American history. Teachers, like students, must be engaged in the learning of U.S. history, understand its relevance, and be provided with the support, time, and appropriate incentives and resources to sharpen their knowledge base and skills.

The CRSD intends to use the Teaching American History grant to increase the likelihood that teachers will incorporate the primary documents of American history into the classroom to complement existing textbooks and materials. It is our mission to apply these findings to our regional initiative as we strive to provide teachers with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to raise student awareness, appreciation, understanding, and achievement in the area of American history. Participants in this project will be better prepared to transfer this learning to their students through innovative and effective instructional practices - helping students to understand the ideas, issues, and events of U.S. history and to appreciate and exercise their civic rights, liberties, and responsibilities as American citizens.

OBJECTIVES
By August 31, 2007, at least 150 northwestern Missouri teachers, educators and administrators will demonstrate higher levels of knowledge and instructional "best practices" in the area of teaching US history after participating in the annual seminar and/or school year workshops as determined through pre/post analysis of American Education History Instructional Titles, data, student test scores and student essays.

By August 31, 2007, at least 150 northwestern Missouri US history teachers ill demonstrate improved classroom instructional performance in the area of US history after participating in the summer institute trainings, as determined through pre/post analysis of American Education History Instructional Titles, data, student test scores and student essays.

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