Dena Levitz, The Examiner
2008-05-15 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

The federal government is giving George Mason University $7 million over the next five years to run an interactive Web site that trains the nation’s elementary and high school history teachers in their craft, officials announced Wednesday.

Started this week, the site will include features ranging from a searchable database of state standards to customized lesson plans and online discussion with education experts on current trends in the field.

Kelly Schrum, director of educational projects at George Mason’s Center for History and New Media, said the site is designed to be the most comprehensive resource available for instructors specializing in American history.

“There are a lot of clearinghouses and professional training in science and math but not in history,” Schrum told The Examiner. “This is really an outgrowth of our overall mission.”

Years ago, the U.S. Department of Education began doling out Teaching American History grants to school districts nationwide to provide history teachers development opportunities.

This latest funding stream builds on that concept.

The difference is the site George Mason is maintaining is a one-stop shop that schools across the country can use.

The contract provides $1.5 million for the first year of the program and $1.4 million for the four years thereafter, officials said.

According to Schrum, seven to 10 staff members and a few George Mason undergraduates will devote their time to the Web site, keeping it up to date with the latest data and state standards.

“One of the central goals is to keep it fresh all the time,” she said. “We’ll update it every day.”

Click here to access the Web site. Educators also can call 866-539-8381 to ask specific questions about the material.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com