20 USC CHAPTER 70, SUBCHAPTER II, Part B, subpart 3: american history and civics education
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20 USC CHAPTER 70, SUBCHAPTER II, Part B, subpart 3: american history and civics education
From Title 20—EDUCATIONCHAPTER 70—STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLSSUBCHAPTER II—PREPARING, TRAINING, AND RECRUITING HIGH-QUALITY TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, OR OTHER SCHOOL LEADERSPart B—National Activities

subpart 3—american history and civics education

§6661. Program authorized

(a) In general

From the amount reserved by the Secretary under section 6621(3) of this title, the Secretary is authorized to carry out an American history and civics education program to improve—

(1) the quality of American history, civics, and government education by educating students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights; and

(2) the quality of the teaching of American history, civics, and government in elementary schools and secondary schools, including the teaching of traditional American history.

(b) Funding allotment

Of the amount available under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary—

(1) shall reserve not less than 26 percent for activities under section 6662 of this title; and

(2) may reserve not more than 74 percent for activities under section 6663 of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2231, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1945.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6661, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2201, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, §201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1642, set forth purpose of part B of former subchapter II of this chapter and defined terms, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–95, §5, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1913, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Another prior section 6661, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2251, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-391, set forth purposes of former part relating to reading and literacy grants, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110.

Prior sections 6661a to 6661i were omitted in the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110.

Section 6661a, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2252, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-392; amended Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVI, §1606(b)(2)(A)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-335, defined terms for purposes of former part.

Section 6661b, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2253, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-393, related to reading and literacy grants to State educational agencies.

Section 6661c, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2254, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-397, related to use of amounts by State educational agencies.

Section 6661d, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2255, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-397, related to local reading improvement subgrants.

Section 6661e, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2256, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-401, related to tutorial assistance subgrants.

Section 6661f, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2257, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-405, related to national evaluation of programs under former part.

Section 6661g, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2258, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-405, related to information dissemination.

Section 6661h, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2259, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-405, related to State evaluations and performance reports.

Section 6661i, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2260, as added Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title VIII, §101(a)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-406; amended Pub. L. 106–554, §1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVI, §1606(b)(2)(B)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-335, related to authorization of appropriations, reservations from appropriations, and sunset.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 6301 of this title.

§6662. Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics

(a) In general

From the amounts reserved under section 6661(b)(1) of this title for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award not more than 12 grants, on a competitive basis, to—

(1) eligible entities to establish Presidential Academies for the Teaching of American History and Civics (in this section referred to as the "Presidential Academies") in accordance with subsection (e); and

(2) eligible entities to establish Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics (in this section referred to as the "Congressional Academies") in accordance with subsection (f).

(b) Application

An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(c) Eligible entity

The term "eligible entity" under this section means—

(1) an institution of higher education or nonprofit educational organization, museum, library, or research center with demonstrated expertise in historical methodology or the teaching of American history and civics; or

(2) a consortium of entities described in paragraph (1).

(d) Grant terms

Grants awarded to eligible entities under subsection (a) shall be for a term of not more than 5 years.

(e) Presidential Academies

(1) Use of funds

Each eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a)(1) shall use the grant funds to establish a Presidential Academy that offers a seminar or institute for teachers of American history and civics, which—

(A) provides intensive professional development opportunities for teachers of American history and civics to strengthen such teachers' knowledge of the subjects of American history and civics;

(B) is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are accomplished in the field of American history and civics;

(C) is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and

(D) is of not less than 2 weeks and not more than 6 weeks in duration.

(2) Selection of teachers

Each year, each Presidential Academy shall select between 50 and 300 teachers of American history and civics from public or private elementary schools and secondary schools to attend the seminar or institute under paragraph (1).

(3) Teacher stipends

Each teacher selected to participate in a seminar or institute under this subsection shall be awarded a fixed stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that such teacher does not incur personal costs associated with the teacher's participation in the seminar or institute.

(4) Priority

In awarding grants under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that coordinate or align their activities with the National Park Service National Centennial Parks initiative to develop innovative and comprehensive programs using the resources of the National Parks.

(f) Congressional Academies

(1) Use of funds

Each eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a)(2) shall use the grant funds to establish a Congressional Academy that offers a seminar or institute for outstanding students of American history and civics, which—

(A) broadens and deepens such students' understanding of American history and civics;

(B) is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are accomplished in the field of American history and civics;

(C) is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and

(D) is of not less than 2 weeks and not more than 6 weeks in duration.

(2) Selection of students

(A) In general

Each year, each Congressional Academy shall select between 100 and 300 eligible students to attend the seminar or institute under paragraph (1).

(B) Eligible students

A student shall be eligible to attend a seminar or institute offered by a Congressional Academy under this subsection if the student—

(i) is recommended by the student's secondary school principal or other school leader to attend the seminar or institute; and

(ii) will be a secondary school junior or senior in the academic year following attendance at the seminar or institute.

(3) Student stipends

Each student selected to participate in a seminar or institute under this subsection shall be awarded a fixed stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that such student does not incur personal costs associated with the student's participation in the seminar or institute.

(g) Matching funds

(1) In general

An eligible entity that receives funds under subsection (a) shall provide, toward the cost of the activities assisted under the grant, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant.

(2) Waiver

The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year for an eligible entity if the Secretary determines that applying the matching requirement would result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the activities described in subsection (e) or (f).

(Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2232, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1945.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6662, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2202, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, §201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1644, related to grants for mathematics and science partnerships, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–95, §5, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1913, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

A prior section 2202 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6642 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110.

Another prior section 2202 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 3012 of this title, prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 103–382.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 6301 of this title.

American History and Civics Education

Pub. L. 108–474, Dec. 21, 2004, 118 Stat. 3898, as amended by Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, §9215(j), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2168, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'American History and Civics Education Act of 2004'.

"SEC. 2. PRESIDENTIAL ACADEMIES FOR TEACHING OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVICS; CONGRESSIONAL ACADEMIES FOR STUDENTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVICS.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of Education (referred to in this Act as the 'Secretary') may award not more than 12 grants, on a competitive basis—

"(1) to entities to establish Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics that may offer workshops for both veteran and new teachers of American history and civics; and

"(2) to entities to establish Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics.

"(b) Application.—An entity that desires to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

"(c) Demonstrated Expertise.—The Secretary shall require that each entity, to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, demonstrate expertise in historical methodology or the teaching of history.

"(d) Available Funds.—To carry out this section, the Secretary may use any funds appropriated for fiscal year 2005 or any subsequent fiscal year to carry out section 2232 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 6662].

"SEC. 3. NATIONAL HISTORY DAY PROGRAM.

"The Secretary may award grants to the National History Day Program for the purpose of continuing and expanding its activities to promote the study of history and improve instruction."

[Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, §9215(j), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2168, which directed amendment of section 2(d) of Pub. L. 108–474, set out above, by substituting "to carry out section 2232 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965" for "to carry out part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965", was executed by making the substitution for "to carry out part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7241 et seq.)" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.]

§6663. National activities

(a) Purpose

The purpose of this section is to promote new and existing evidence-based strategies to encourage innovative American history, civics and government, and geography instruction, learning strategies, and professional development activities and programs for teachers, principals, or other school leaders, particularly such instruction, strategies, activities, and programs that benefit low-income students and underserved populations.

(b) In general

From the amounts reserved by the Secretary under section 6661(b)(2) of this title, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities for the purposes of expanding, developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating for voluntary use, innovative, evidence-based approaches or professional development programs in American history, civics and government, and geography, which—

(1) shall—

(A) show potential to improve the quality of student achievement in, and teaching of, American history, civics and government, or geography, in elementary schools and secondary schools; and

(B) demonstrate innovation, scalability, accountability, and a focus on underserved populations; and


(2) may include—

(A) hands-on civic engagement activities for teachers and students; and

(B) programs that educate students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights.

(c) Program periods and diversity of projects

(1) In general

A grant awarded by the Secretary to an eligible entity under this section shall be for a period of not more than 3 years.

(2) Renewal

The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under this section for 1 additional 2-year period.

(3) Diversity of projects

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities that will serve geographically diverse areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas.

(d) Applications

In order to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(e) Eligible entity

In this section, the term "eligible entity" means an institution of higher education or other nonprofit or for-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in the development of evidence-based approaches with the potential to improve the quality of American history, civics and government, or geography learning and teaching.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2233, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1947.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6663, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, §2203, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, §201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1647, authorized appropriations to carry out part B of former subchapter II of this chapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–95, §5, title II, §2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1913, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

A prior section 2203 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6643 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110.

Another prior section 2203 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 3013 of this title, prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 103–382.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 6301 of this title.