[Senate Report 108-71]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 140
108th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                     108-71

======================================================================



 
           AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVICS EDUCATION ACT OF 2003

                                _______
                                

                 June 13, 2003.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Gregg, from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                   Pensions, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 504]

    The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to 
which was referred the bill (S. 504) to establish academies for 
teachers and students of American history and civics and a 
national alliance of teachers of American history and civics, 
and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports 
favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the 
bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
  I. Purpose and summary of the bill..................................1
 II. Background and need for legislation..............................2
III. History of legislation and committee action......................2
 IV. Explanation of legislation and committee views...................2
  V. Cost estimate....................................................4
 VI. Regulatory impact statement......................................6
VII. Application of law to the legislative branch.....................6
VIII.Section-by-section analysis......................................6


                   I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL

    It is the purpose of the American History and Civics 
Education Act of 2003 to create, as a pilot program, 
residential academies for teachers and students in the fields 
of American History and Civics. Up to 12 Presidential Academies 
for teachers and 12 Congressional Academies for students would 
be sponsored by educational institutions for 2-year renewable 
grants. The bill also provides for the establishment of a 
National Alliance of Teachers of American History and Civics.

                II. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    American children lack sufficient knowledge of U.S. history 
and civics. By providing for academies to teach both teachers 
and students, the bill hopes to reverse this alarming trend.
    According to the National Assessment of Educational 
Progress (NAEP), three-quarters of the Nation's 4th, 8th and 
12th graders are not proficient in civics knowledge and one-
third do not have even basic knowledge, making them ``civic 
illiterates.''
    Children are not learning about American history and civics 
because they are not being taught it. American history has been 
watered down, and civics is too often dropped from the 
curriculum entirely.
    Until the 1960's, civics education, which teaches the 
duties of citizenship, was a regular part of the high school 
curriculum, but today's college graduates probably have less 
civics knowledge than high school graduates of 50 years ago. 
Misguided reform theories in the '60's and '70's resulted in 
the widespread elimination of required classes and curricula in 
civics education. Today, more than half the States have no 
requirement for students to take a course--even for one 
semester--in American government.
    The proposed Presidential and Congressional Academies would 
help reverse this trend. Participating teachers would gain 
greater depth in the field as well as garner new ideas for 
teaching the subjects to their students. Participating students 
would have the opportunity to concentrate on American history 
and civics in a challenging environment. The pilot academies 
are modeled after Governors' Schools that have succeeded across 
the country. The schools are usually summer residential 
academies for students and/or teachers in specific fields of 
study. Today there are more than 100 Governors' Schools in 28 
States.

            III. HISTORY OF LEGISLATION AND COMMITTEE ACTION

    On March 4, 2003, Senator Alexander proposed S. 504, the 
American History and Civics Education Act which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. On May 
14, 2003, the committee met in executive session to consider 
the American History and Civics Education Act of 2003. No 
amendments were offered. The bill was subsequently approved by 
voice vote.

           IV. EXPLANATION OF LEGISLATION AND COMMITTEE VIEWS

Overview

    The American History and Civics Education Act of 2003 
authorizes the National Endowment for the Humanities to 
administer a grant program to establish up to twelve 
Presidential Academies for Teachers at an annual level of $7 
million for fiscal years 2004-2007, up to 12 Congressional 
Academies for Students at an annual level of $14 million for 
fiscal years 2004-2007, and a National Alliance of Teachers of 
American History and Civics at an annual level of $4 million 
for fiscal years 2004-2007.

Program goals

    The purpose of the Academies would be to inspire better 
teaching and more learning of the key events, documents, 
persons, and ideas that shaped the institutions and democratic 
heritage of the United States. This legislation creates a pilot 
program. Up to twelve Presidential Academies for teachers and 
up to 12 Congressional Academies for students would be 
sponsored by educational institutions. The National Endowment 
for the Humanities would award 12-year renewable grants to 
those institutions after a peer review process. Each grant 
would be subject to rigorous review after 3 years to determine 
whether the entire Academies program should continue, expand or 
end. The legislation authorizes $25 million annually for the 4-
year pilot program. This program is authorized through 2007, 
beginning in fiscal year 2004.

Eligible grantees

    The committee recognizes that there are a number of 
educational institutions that are focused on the teaching of 
American history and civics. The committee recommends that the 
chairperson administer grants to educational institutions that 
demonstrate a focus on content knowledge of American History. 
The National Endowment for the Humanities, if feasible, should 
try to attain geographic diversity in the selection of 
grantees. This is to attempt to ensure that Academies are 
dispersed throughout the United States so that students and 
teachers nationwide can participate.
    The Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, the 
Library of Congress, and public libraries are stewards of 
millions of objects, historical landmarks, books, and documents 
that preserve the memories and experiences of the American 
people. Their work is a valuable asset in the teaching of 
American history and civics. The committee recognizes the 
Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National 
Park Service, and public libraries as examples of nonprofit 
educational institutions, which should be considered as 
eligible potential recipients of grants made by the National 
Endowment for the Humanities under this act.
    The committee recognizes how important it is for citizens 
to understand the principles that have united all Americans 
since our Nation's founding. Most countries are united by a 
common ethnicity, but the United States is united by our 
commitment to these principles. Therefore, the committee has 
not referenced particular ethnic groups' roles in American 
history and civics. However, the committee acknowledges the 
unique position of Native Americans and their contribution to 
American history. Although America's variety and diversity is a 
great strength, Americans' greatest accomplishment is that we 
found unity amidst that variety and diversity. The three Latin 
words that were the first motto of our Nation, E Pluribus Unum, 
are still in the right order--out of many, one. The committee 
encourages the chairperson to award grants to educational 
institutions that will enhance students' and teachers' content 
knowledge of the key ideas, events, persons, and documents 
defined in section 2 of this act, particularly E Pluribus Unum.

Teacher and student participant requirements

    It is the committee's intent that teachers and students 
from across the United States, including those from any public 
or private school, as well as home-schooled children, would be 
eligible to apply to the academies. Additionally, the 
committeerecognizes the necessity for educational institutions 
receiving these grants to ensure that low-income students and teachers 
teaching at title I schools are aware of the workshops and know how and 
when to apply to an academy.
    Educational institutions applying for Presidential Academy 
grants may permit all kindergarten through twelfth grade 
teachers of American history and civics to apply to the 
Academy. However, the committee does not intend for every 
Presidential Academy to serve kindergarten through twelfth 
grade teachers. A grantee might design an academy with a 
curriculum that is grade level-specific, such as an academy for 
kindergarten through third grade teachers of American history 
and civics. The committee encourages the Chairperson to award 
grants to a diverse group of educational institutions to ensure 
that a variety of teachers of American history and civics will 
have the opportunity to attend an appropriate Presidential 
Academy.
    Teachers applying to a Presidential Academy do not need to 
be certified history or civics teachers. Selected teachers may 
be those who plan to use these subjects in their classroom to 
help increase students' content knowledge of American history 
and civics. The committee recognizes the potential for these 
Academies to help teachers meet the highly qualified criteria 
required by the No Child Left Behind Act (Public Law 107-110).

National alliance of teachers of American history and civics

    This legislation authorizes the awarding of a grant or 
grants for the creation of a national alliance of American 
history and civics teachers that would facilitate the sharing 
of ideas. The alliance would serve as a resource for the 
sharing of best practices in the teaching of American history 
and civics and would connect teachers by using the Internet. It 
is the committee's suggestion that this alliance might be 
modeled after an alliance the National Geographic Society began 
during the 1980s to put geography back into the American school 
curriculum. The State of Tennessee and the University of 
Tennessee were among the first sponsors of that alliance.
    It is the committee's intent that this alliance would help 
to create State chapters of the national alliance and 
coordinate with other alliances that study subjects related to 
American history, government, and civics. The committee views 
the national alliance of teachers of American history and 
civics as a vital entity needed to restore the teaching of 
American history and civics to its rightful place the 
classroom.

                            V. COST ESTIMATE

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, May 20, 2003.
Hon. Judd Gregg,
Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 504, the American 
History and Civics Education Act of 2003.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Donna Wong.
            Sincerely,
                                     Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director.
    Enclosure.

S. 504--American History and Civics Education Act of 2003

    Summary: S. 504 would establish three new grant programs 
within the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The 
bill would authorize the appropriations of $100 million over 
the 2004-2007 period, and CBO estimates that appropriations of 
the authorized levels would result in additional outlays of 
$100 million over the 2004-2008 period. Enacting the bill would 
not affect direct spending or revenues.
    S. 504 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of S. 504 is shown in the following table. The 
costs of this legislation fall within budget function 500 
(education, training, employment, and social services). The 
estimate assumes that outlays will follow historical spending 
rates for similar competitive grant programs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      By fiscal year, in millions of
                                                 dollars--
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                   2004    2005    2006    2007    2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Presidential Academics for
 Teaching of American History
 and Civics:
    Authorization Level.........       7       7       7       7       0
    Estimated Outlays...........       3       7       7       7       4
Congressional Academies for
 Students of American History
 and Civics:
    Authorization Level.........      14      14      14      14       0
    Estimated Outlays...........       6      14      14      14       8
National Alliance of Teachers of
 American History and Civics:
    Authorization Level.........       4       4       4       4       0
    Estimated Outlays...........       2       4       4       4       2
Total Authorizations under S.
 504:
    Authorization Level.........      25      25      25      25       0
    Estimated Outlays...........      10      25      25      25      15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

    S. 504 would create three new American history and civics 
grant programs and authorize funding of $25 million a year for 
the next four years. If the authorized amount is appropriated 
for each year, outlays would increase by $10 million in 2004, 
and by $100 million over the 2004-2008 period.

Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics

    S. 504 would authorize the appropriation of $7 million in 
each fiscal year from 2004 through 2007 for a new competitive 
grant program for nonprofit educational institutions to 
establish Presidential Academies for Teaching of American 
History and Civics. The academies would offer summer workshops 
for elementary and secondary school teachers of American 
history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and 
preparation for teaching these subjects.

Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics

    The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $14 
million a year through 2007 for a new competitive grant program 
for nonprofit educational institutions to establish 
Congressional Academies for Students of American History and 
Civics. These academies would offer summer workshops for 
outstanding students of American history and civics to broaden 
their understanding of these subjects.

National Alliance of Teachers of American History and Civics

    S. 504 would authorize the appropriation of $4 million a 
year through 2007 and would direct the Chairperson of the NEH 
to award a grant to an organization for the creation of a 
national alliance of elementary and secondary school teachers 
of American history and civics. The purpose of the national 
alliance would be to facilitate the sharing of ideas among 
teachers of American history and civics and encourage best 
practices in teaching through a national Web site, seminars,and 
other activities.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 504 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would impose no cost on state, local, or 
tribal governments.
    Estimates prepared by: Federal Costs; Donna Wong. Impact on 
State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Greg Waring. Impact on 
the Private Sector: Nabeel Alsalam.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                    VI. REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

A. Regulatory Impact

    In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee has determined that 
there will be minimal increases in the regulatory burden 
imposed by this bill.

B. Unfunded Mandates Statement

    According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). It would 
authorize a $25 million pilot program to be administered by the 
National Endowment for the Humanities if such sums are 
appropriated.

           VII. APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee has determined that there is no legislative 
impact.

                   VIII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title

    This Act may be cited as the ``American History and Civics 
Education Act of 2003.''

Section 2. Definitions

    This Section makes the following definitions:
    (1) American History--The term ``American history and 
civics'' means the key events, key persons, key ideas, and key 
documents that shaped the institutions and democratic heritage 
of the United States.
    (2) Chairperson--The term ``Chairperson'' means the 
Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
    (3) Institution of Higher Education--The term ``institution 
of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
    (4) Key Documents--The term ``key documents'' means the 
documents that established or explained the foundational 
principles of democracy in the United States, including the 
United States Constitution and the amendments of the 
Constitution (particularly the Bill of Rights), the Declaration 
of Independence, the Federalist Papers, and the Emancipation 
Proclamation.
    (5) Key Events--The term ``key events'' means the critical 
turning points in the history of the United States (including 
the American Revolution, the Civil War, the world wars of the 
twentieth century, the civil rightsmovement, and the major 
court decisions and legislation) that contributed to extending the 
promise of democracy in American life.
    (6) Key Ideas--The term ``key ideas'' means the ideas that 
shaped the democratic institutions and heritage of the United 
States, including the notion of equal justice under the law, 
freedom, individualism, human rights, and a belief in progress.
    (7) Key Persons--The term ``key persons'' means the men and 
women who led the United States as founding fathers, elected 
officials, scientists, inventors, pioneers, advocates of equal 
rights, entrepreneurs, and artists.
    (8) Nonprofit Educational Institution--The term ``nonprofit 
educational institution'' means (A)(i) an institution of higher 
education or (ii) a nonprofit educational research center; and 
(B) includes a consortium of entities described in subparagraph 
(A).
    (9) State--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 states 
and the District of Columbia.

Section 3. Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and 
        Civics

    This section establishes a competitive grant program to be 
administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities. 
Grantees will offer an approximately two week long workshop for 
kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers who teach History 
and Civics in their classrooms. Workshops shall have the 
flexibility to select teachers from different regions and 
public or private schools, including schools in low-income 
communities. This section authorizes the Chairperson to 
establish a grant application process in order to award up to 
twelve two-year renewable grants to educational institutions. 
After the first two years the NEH may renew a grant for an 
additional two years. The bill does not, however, require that 
the NEH do so; it may determine that such a grant is not worthy 
of renewal and thereby award the grant to another applicant, if 
the NEH approves the new applicant's application. Teachers 
shall not incur costs for attendance at or participation in the 
Academies. The Chairperson shall evaluate all Academies in 
their third year of the grant to determine their overall 
success and highlight best grantees' practices in order to 
become models for future grantees. In this section, there is 
authorized to be appropriated $7 million for each of the fiscal 
years 2004 through 2007 for this purpose.

Section 4. Congressional Academies for Students of American History and 
        Civics

    This section establishes a competitive grant program to be 
administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities. 
Educational institutions awarded grants shall offer workshops 
for approximately 300 outstanding students of American History 
and Civics going into their junior or senior year for 
approximately four weeks in the summer (or at another 
appropriate time when students would be free to attend). The 
NEH may award up to twelve two-year grants that may be renewed 
for an additional two years. As in Section 3, the NEH is not 
obligated by this bill to renew grants, but may choose to renew 
or award the grants to new applicants. The Primary Professor or 
scholar who will design a curriculum for the workshop and will 
select core teachers to lead the workshop, shall be named in 
the grant application. A student will be eligible to attend the 
workshop if the student is recommended by the principal, 
headmaster, or other head of academic program, and will be a 
junior or senior year in the academic year following the 
Academy. A student who attends the workshop shall not incur any 
costs associated with attendance at the program, including 
meals, lodging and material. Costs associated with travel may 
be funded with non-Federal dollars. The NEH shall evaluate all 
workshops in the third year of the grant to determine the 
overall success and highlight grantees' best practices in order 
to become models for future grantees. In this section, there is 
authorized to be appropriated $14 million for each of the 
fiscal years 2004 through 2007 for this purpose.

Section 5. National Alliance of Teachers of American History and Civics

    This section authorizes the Chairperson to award grants to 
an organization for the creation of a national alliance of 
elementary school and secondary school teachers of American 
History and Civics. The purpose of the national alliance is to 
facilitate the sharing of ideas among American History and 
Civics teachers and to encourage best practices in the teaching 
of these subjects. A grant awarded shall be for two years and 
may be renewed. As in Sections 3 and 4, the NEH is not 
obligated by this bill to renew the grant, but may choose to 
renew or award the grant to a new applicant. An organization 
that receives this grant shall use the funds for the 
development of a website to facilitate discussions of new 
ideas, for the creation of in-State chapters of the national 
alliance, and for seminars, lectures, and other events on 
American History and Civics oriented towards teachers of those 
subjects. In this section, there is authorized to be 
appropriated $4 million for each of the fiscal years 2004 
through 2007 for this purpose.

                                
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