Prince William County schools serve a student population with large minority populations (22% African American and 22% Latino) and a significant number of students living below the poverty line (27%). In addition, most district teachers have reported completing less than two undergraduate courses in American history. To address these issues, the district has developed a TAH project based on the National Staff Development Council's standards for effective professional development that will improve teachers' knowledge of traditional American history and provide classroom support and resources. Each year the project will provide an intensive one-week summer colloquium, four one-day workshops with field study, and a series of bi-monthly study group meetings that will be followed by individual coaching sessions and practitioner demonstrations. The historical themes covered will include the following: Enlarging the Area of Freedom (1790-1877); Free Enterprise and Economic Development (since 1870); and Social and Technological Change in America (since 1920). Teachers also will examine closely the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and selected Supreme Court cases. In addition, attention will be given to "Historical Habits of Mind" and reflective teaching practice, and all participants will receive a resource library.

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