Team HOPE and the Revolution in American History Education
We are called Team HOPE (History Opens Eyes), and we have joined together because we believe that America: The Last Best Hope, Volumes I and II, and the curriculum materials, called the Roadmap, have the potential to shape the future of history education.
Team HOPE consists of our author, Dr. William J. Bennett, five recipients of the Milken Educator Award, and Thomas Nelson Publishing. Our vision is curriculum adoptions, America in schools and libraries, American History teachers reading America to inform their instruction, college professors teaching survey courses with America, and homeschool parents using America for their curriculum. In essence, our goal is to see this present generation learning American History through America: The Last Best Hope, a balanced, comprehensive, narrative about our country.
To assess the relevance of America for school use, we conducted a panel review of twenty-two experts in the field of American History. This panel included nationally recognized history teachers, state and national leaders, a first lady who is a former high school social studies teacher, two chief state school officers with backgrounds in history, and state curriculum and textbook coordinators. The panel summary was overwhelmingly positive and indicated that these books bring history alive for students. They are rich in information and engaging in their narrative style. Click here for some of their reviews.
Thanks to the support of Thomas Nelson Publishing, books are available on this Web site at education pricing for schools, libraries and homeschool parents. Nelson is also supporting the work of Team HOPE, providing resources to support the development of the Roadmap curriculum materials and to assist us in our goal to advance the use of America across the country.
To support the books, Team HOPE is developing innovative companion materials for students and teachers, called the Roadmap. This curriculum package will be truly unique; the story told by noted public figure and story teller William Bennett, and curricular applications developed by exemplary educators who are noted American History experts. The Roadmap will include a wide range of lessons and resources for teachers, a student interactive Web site, audio Podcasts where Professor Bennett shares “Beyond the Chapter" segments, and a premium Web site with online chat sessions with Professor Bennett, opportunities for students to “Ask Team HOPE" questions about their examination of history, and an extensive series of speeches, plays, and interactive features. The Roadmap will be available with the purchase of books June 2008.
We strive to address a critical national problem and need. According to surveys and assessments, students are either historically illiterate, or think history is boring. America does not look or read like a textbook. In America, history is drama, romance, comedy, mystery, action, tragedy, and triumph.
Our vision for America is ambitious but to use an historical analogy, so was the founding of our country. Our Founding Fathers shaped our country. We invite you to join our “revolution” and help us shape the future of history education.
- If you are a teacher, administrator, or school board member, advocate to adopt America for American History, AP American History, IB, or dual enrollment; whatever is relevant for your school, district, or state.
- If you are a parent, give America to a history teacher at your child’s school.
- If you are a librarian, put these books on your shelves.
- If you are a college professor, America could be the text for your American History survey course or for teacher education.
- If you are a homeschool parent, plan to use America for American History instruction in your home.
There is no time like the present to get our students excited and knowledgeable about the past. We look forward to your participation and ideas.
Meet Team HOPE
The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards provides public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary schoolteachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education. By honoring outstanding educators, the program strives to attract, develop, motivate and retain talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching. Recipients of the Milken Educator Award are selected because they represent the top 1% of the teaching profession and have demonstrated innovation, leadership and results. Since the first Awards were presented in 1987, the program has expanded to honor over 2,300 unsung heroes across the country, and is now the largest teacher recognition program in the United States, often called the “Oscars of teaching.” Milken Educators also join a national network of outstanding educators, who work together and with other leaders to improve the entire education system.
Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Advisor
Senior Vice President, Milken Family Foundation, Santa Monica, CA
1994 Indiana Milken Educator
Dr. Rex Bolinger, Project Director
Senior Fellow, Sagamore Institute, Indianapolis, IN
1999 Indiana Milken Educator
Philip Bigler, Content Specialist
Director, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
1999 Virginia Milken Educator
Dr. Jeff Gall, Content Specialist
Associate Professor of History, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
1996 Missouri Milken Educator
Mark Ingerson, Content Specialist
High School History Teacher, Salem High School, Salem, VA
2005 Virginia Milken Educator
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