Center for american studies' k-12 teacher seminars to commemorate america 250

Christopher Newport University's Center for American Studies received a $1.315 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the American History and Civics Education program (CFDA 84.422), awarded October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. The award funds K-12 teacher seminars designed to commemorate America 250, the nation's 250th anniversary, supporting professional development initiatives that enhance the quality of teaching and learning in American history and civics instruction at the K-12 level.

The grant supports the development and delivery of teacher professional development seminars that align with the American History and Civics Education program's broader mission to improve instructional quality through evidence-based approaches and innovative pedagogical strategies. As part of the Department of Education's accelerated funding initiative in this program area—which obligated $198.3 million across 119 awards in fiscal year 2025—this award enables Christopher Newport University to contribute subject-matter expertise and educational programming to strengthen civics and American history instruction in elementary and secondary schools, with particular emphasis on the commemorative context of the nation's semiquincentennial.