Where and When: These programs are currently offered regularly by project sites located at CSU institutions in Sonoma, San Bernardino, Fullerton, San Diego and occasionally by others. They are usually conducted as combination summer and academic-year institutes.
Standards, Content and Grade Level: They address the History-Social Science Content and Skill Analysis Standards for grades 5, 8, 11 and, to a lesser extent, 4. The content focus at individual project sites will vary from year-to-year depending on commitments made to grade level and specific topics.
Program Description: Project sites offer these programs to strengthen the content and teaching of American history, improve the quality of student knowledge, understanding, and achievement in the field, understand the role of the U.S. throughout time in relationship to world and international events, and connect the lessons of historical knowledge and experience to the challenges of life in modern world society. Primary and secondary source documents are used to examine, analyze and interpret significant ideas, philosophies, institutions and key individuals and events that shape, and continue to shape, America and its place in the world. Instructional pedagogy includes development of academic language, writing, appropriate use of technology and strategies for English Learners and active student engagement.
Funding: In general, these programs are sponsored by the federal Teaching American History program through grants awarded to consortia that include school districts or county offices of education, higher education institutions, and cooperating resource organizations.
California International Studies Project