Support K-12 History & Civics Education

Urge your senator to support legislation to provide $1 billion for K-12 history and civics education!

Enter your information to take action now!

Subject:

Please support legislation to provide $1 billion for K-12 History and Civics Education

Dear Official,

As a constituent, I am writing to urge you to support S. 4928, the “Educating for Democracy Act of 2020.”

This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would authorize $1 billion in federal investment over the next five fiscal years in history and civic education, including research, innovation, and teacher professional development, and would require the National Assessments of Educational Progress (NAEPs) in civics and history education to be conducted every two years at grades 4, 8 and 12, with state level results made publicly available.

The federal government has chronically underinvested in support for history and civic education. For example, the U.S. Department of Education currently provides only $4.8 million in grants to American history and civics education. These programs reach only a tiny fraction of the nation’s K-12 students.

The measure establishes new grant programs for state and local education agencies to strengthen and improve their approach to history and civic education. The bill provides funding for non-profit entities to develop or expand access to evidence-based curricula, instructional models, and other educational programs to enhance student knowledge and achievement in history and civics. Grants would be provided to higher education institutions to assist in developing and implementing programs to train elementary and secondary school teachers in methods for instructing and engaging students in civics and history.

Increased proficiency in these subjects can empower students with the necessary information, critical thinking skills, and mindsets to engage effectively in the civic and political life of their communities. In today’s contentious civil environment, it is more important than ever that students are equipped with knowledge of our nation’s history and how our civic institutions function.

While I appreciate the difficult budgetary decisions Congress faces, this is a vital investment in our nation’s next generation of citizens. I urge you to support S. 4928, the “Educating Democracy Act.”

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards, Your Name

Send me emails about this campaign

Send me text messages about this campaign

Thanks for supporting K-12 History and Civics Education!

Hello, Thank you for taking my call! I'm a constituent from [city/town] and I am calling today in support of the humanities.

There are currently Dear Colleague Letters circulating in the House and the Senate supporting increased funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. I would like to request that Representative/Senator [name] sign the letter.

For House offices: The House letter is sponsored by Rep. David Price.

For Senate offices: The Senate letter is sponsored by Senator Tom Udall.

Do you know what the Representative/Senator's position is on the National Endowment for the Humanities?

Optional Talking Points

Have you received an NEH grant or participated in or attended and NEH funded project? Share your experience with the agency!
NEH grants are critical for encouraging private financing of projects. Challenge Grants, for example, have been leveraged at a 3:1 ratio, while State Council grants are leveraged at a 5:1 ratio and Public Programs at an 8:1 ratio.
NEH grants are highly competitive, funding less than 16% of peer-reviewed grant applications.
NEH's Standing Together initiative supports veterans and their families in the transition back to civilian life, and promotes public understanding of the military experience for all Americans.
NEH-supported humanities councils provide continuing education and family literacy programs in every state in the country.

In all, please try to keep the conversation to just a few minutes.