19–010

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. 

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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 

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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 committee recognizes the 

necessity for educational institutions receiving these grants to ensure that low-income students and teachers teaching at title I 

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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. 

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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. 

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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: 

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(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 rights movement, 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 

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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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