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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 24, 2006 8:24:41 GMT -5
LOCAL NEWS: Schools get $1 million to improve American history classes
JAMES A. QUIRK/STAFF WRITER
Asbury Park Press
The federal government is giving almost $1 million to Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District to improve American history education in schools including Freehold and Marlboro.
The U.S. Department of Education announced it selected the regional district as the lead agency for the three-year, $953,990 Molly Pitcher Liberty Fellowship Grant, Superintendent Maureen Lally said.
The district will coordinate the tools and training for teachers in Freehold and Marlboro's K-8 schools, Freehold High School and Marlboro High School, Lally said.
Through the grant, the American Institute for History Education will provide resources, workshops and summer institutes featuring historians, constitutional scholars, history education specialists and university professors from around the country, she said.
Bruce Mitzak, the district's supervisor of social studies, world languages and academically talented programs, said legislators from West Virginia led a movement that ultimately made federal funding available for programs to improve American history teaching in public schools.
Mitzak first formed the consortium of schools two years ago and submitted the grant, but it was not among the districts chosen for funding then, Mitzak said. The district reapplied late last year and was accepted this month.
Special workshops for teachers are being scheduled now, Mitzak said. District officials are working with Brookdale Community College, Middletown, to serve as the host site for the workshops, Mitzak said.
"This entire program is just a fabulous opportunity for teachers and students, and we're all very excited about it," he said.
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bergsteiger
Full Member
War is simple, direct, and ruthless
Posts: 1,189
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Post by bergsteiger on Oct 24, 2006 9:27:11 GMT -5
I don’t what to make of this. That’s a lot of money to make something that is already in place”better”. While I am for teaching American history and a huge WW2 history buff, I’m not sure if this is going to improve how American history is taught. When the mostly liberal education system gets a hold of this money they just make a real criticize America fest out of it. Revisionist history is running ramped in this country. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
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Post by Marc LeVne on Oct 24, 2006 10:43:21 GMT -5
I agree that "the devil is in the details." Truth is, our kids "suck" when it comes to American History.
As a Civil War buff, I inspired my own kids to be interested in American History. My younger son is currently majoring in teaching and history in college and especially shares my love of the American Civil War period. We often watch Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, together, whenever we get the chance. We've actually visited many of the historical sites shown in those movies and enjoyed countless live battle re-enactments, as a family.
As for my kid's friends. Their knowledge of history and geography is so poor that they often draw a blank when the past is discussed. They often claim, "they never learned" about things we all take for granted. They routinely and unintentionally come across as funny, when asked to name US state's capitols. Not a clue. Sad, but true.
Granted, my own history books ended with John Glenn headed into space. Their's go alot farther - than that and - you are right - are highly revisionist. Hopefully, in their own studies - they will seek out the truth, cutting through the BS. But, before that can happen, they must be passionate about the subject. This is where our teachers often fall short. American History is not merely an exercise of learning - it should be an adventure of the human spirit.
Attending Board of Education meetings and discussing how this new program will be rolled out and what (unbiased, non-revisionist) materials will be used, may be the order of the day. We need to advocate, for our children, the quality of education they receive. When left to others, they get what they get and we pay for it - in more ways than just from our taxes.
Marc
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bergsteiger
Full Member
War is simple, direct, and ruthless
Posts: 1,189
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Post by bergsteiger on Oct 24, 2006 11:14:18 GMT -5
What always amazes me about people’s knowledge of the civil war is that they think it was about slavery. Most people have no clue why President Lincoln freed the slaves two years after the war started and that was only for the Confederate state’s slaves at the onset.
Have you ever been to the Confederate museum in New Orleans? It is next to the D-Day museum. Two wonderful museums. Steven Ambrose founded the d-day museum; he’s a writer and historian, “Band of Brothers” being one of his more notable books.
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 24, 2006 14:23:10 GMT -5
The Big Easy was my most favorite place in the whole pre-Katrina world. I've seen EVERYTHING in an around that city.
The Civil War Museum I still really need to get out to is the National CWM in Harrisburg. My son was there last year. He wasn't overly impressed, but thought it was still worthwhile visiting.
Marc
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Post by admin on Oct 24, 2006 17:07:48 GMT -5
History is one of my favorite topics, although I am quite amateur. The questions that I find most important are not the who and when, but the how and why. Asking "what if" is always an interesting question with no answer. History is also one of the most important topics people need when it comes to voting and truly understanding related issues.
I would not call myself a Civil War buff as Marc does, but that is one of my favorite parts of American history. The best interpretations that I have read view this era as a continuation of unfinished business from the founding of our country. Slavery was not the only issue, but it was ingrained within many others.
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Post by Marc LeVine on Oct 24, 2006 17:43:35 GMT -5
(The Civil War) ...continuation of unfinished business from the founding of our country.
Have heard this said before and have always loved the way it reads. Concise and accurate.
Marc
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Post by wyane on Nov 21, 2006 21:58:18 GMT -5
Getting this kinda doe would be great, and desperately needed, however....
I believe this Grand includes the TOWNSHIP not the BORO Schools!!!
Anyone know the real deal here? Be Nice to hear GOOD new about our School funding situation
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Post by Freehold Resident on Nov 21, 2006 22:27:39 GMT -5
What I don't understand is why they call it the "Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District?" Isn't it the 'Freehold Regional School District? Just curious. If that is the case, then I believe it encompasses Freehold Boro. By the way, it's "grant" not "grand."  F R |
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Post by wayne on Nov 21, 2006 22:49:52 GMT -5
As I read this the Money thats GRANTED goes to
English Town Manalapan k-12
Freehold Regional 8-12
Marlboro and Township K-8
NOTHING for the Boro, but maybe I am wrong, bout I see no mention of the Boro
PS, OK I fat fingered Gand... 
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Post by fedup on Nov 22, 2006 0:09:05 GMT -5
Perhaps the APP article is not entirely accurate? It wouldn't be the first or last time that happened.
If you read the info at this link (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/2006abstracts/nj.html), you will see that there were two different grants awarded: one to MERSD, and the second to FRHSD; the amounts of the two grants are very similar, btw.
And since this is an education thread: Google is my friend, and it can be your friend, too! See the handy search box at the bottom of every page of this site for details. </snark>
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Post by Informed Guest on Dec 2, 2006 13:33:01 GMT -5
The history grant that you speak of will benefit several school districts, Freehold Boro being one of them. Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School Distrct (MERS) is just the lead agency or LEA.
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