Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the grant about?
A: The goal of the program is to support programs that raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of American History. Exploration of effective teaching practices and skills are additional focal points.
Q: Who applied for this grant?
A: Michael Chlystun and Michael Gatto decided to apply for the grant. They were encouraged to make the application by Ed Ehmann, Mary Cahill and Anthony Napoli of the Gilder Lehman Foundation. Mary Cahill, representatives of the teaching staff, the grant Co-Directors met the Gilder Lehrman Foundation to discuss the grant application. The Smithtown Central School District applied for the grant with participation of the William Floyd Union Free School District.
We thought the grant was an opportunity for staff development that we could not turn down. We felt we could use our understanding of cooperative groups to create an application that would be different and strong.
Q: Why did we get the money?
A: We won a competitive United States Department of Education, Teaching American History Grant. Our grant request scored higher than any applicants on Long Island. Our application’s strongest component according to the evaluators was the design of the grant itself with its focus on academic controversy and cooperative groups.
Q: How much money did we get?
A: $957,000.00 Funds are granted for a three year period.
Q: What is the money for?
A: The money is designated for the instruction of the staff of the Smithtown Central School District and the William Floyd Union Free School District in American History and effective teaching methods.
Q: Why is American History the sole historical focus?
A: The U.S. Department of Education Grant is titled: Teaching American History and restricts the historical content to American History.
Q: How will the grant help you as a social studies teacher?
A: You will get first class instruction in American History by professors that often are award winning authors and have national reputations. The teaching methods will be an application of the work of Drs. Roger and David Johnson of the University of Minnesota, primary exponents of cooperative learning groups in the classroom. You will be offered opportunities to work with colleagues over an extended time period to reconsider historical perspectives and apply your knowledge to the classroom
Q: How long will the grant activities last?
A: The grant spans three academic years. 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011. Some activities may be continued in a fourth academic year if there are sufficient funds and permission for an extension is granted.
Q: How does the historical focus change for each year of the grant?
A: 2008-2009
18th Century American History
2009-2010
19th Century American History
2010-2011
20th Century American History
Q: What exactly is available to me through this grant?
A: Major grant activities are during the summer starting in 2008 and will be offered without cost to teachers. Participation in grant activities will not prevent application to the Smithtown Professional Development Fund.
The grant offers social studies teachers the following:
1. Stony Brook University Summer Teaching Social Studies Methods Workshops
2. Stony Brook University Controversy in American History Courses
3. Local Conferences
4. Summer Workshop Experiences
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Q: Who decides the kind and amount of work I must do for the in-service courses?
A: A committee comprised of teachers (one from each building) who will participate in the in-service program, the Grant Director, the Grant Coordinator and the Director of Stony Brook University Professional Development Outreach will set the requirement for in-service credit. In-service credit certificates will be issued by Stony Brook University Professional Development Outreach Program.
Q: Who decides the kind and amount of work I must do for the graduate credit courses?
A: Dr. Barnhart is in charge of the graduate course. He will make assignments and grade your work at the end of the course. You will be offered additional days to work with him during the school year.
Q: Who can participate in one of the summer experiences?
A: Teachers who successfully complete the Academic Controversy in American History course for the previous school year (in-service or graduate credit) will be offered a choice of one of several funded summer experiences.
Q: What are the spending limits for each teacher’s summer experience?
A: Workshop tuition will be paid in advance through grant funds. Additional out of pocket expenses will follow Smithtown District Professional Development Guidelines. The Executive Board will set a maximum dollar limit for the summer experiences.
Q: Why were cooperative learning and academic controversy picked as major means of instruction?
A: Many staff members have been trained in and use some form of cooperative learning. We thought that the Johnson’s Academic Controversy Program would be an effective extension to the staff’s interest in the area and a means enliven the coursework.
Q: Why should teachers consider participating?
A: All grant activities are offered without cost to participants. You will be offered your choice of either in-service credit and a stipend or graduate credit for your work. Teachers will be represented on the executive board and in-service board to express your interests. Books and materials will be provided gratis through grant funds. The in-service/graduate Controversies in American History class will have six sessions and will spread over the course of eight months. You will have opportunities to meet and be taught by some of the most respected scholars in the field of American History. All classes will be held at Sony Brook University in a pleasant and convenient location. Breakfast coffee and lunch will be served on all full day courses.
Q: Can I get involved on a year by year basis?
A: Yes.
Q: What outside organizations will be involved in the grant?
A: We plan to collaborate with individuals and organizations that already have excellent track records. Some of these organizations already offer programs that meet our needs. Other programs will be specially designed for our grant program. Some of the organizations we plan to collaborate with are: SUNY Stony Brook, Gilder Lehman Foundation, National Archives, Mystic Museum, Sagamore Hill, F.D.R. Library/Hyde Park, The Long Island Museum and the Smithtown Historical Society.
Q: I am interested in finding out more about the summer experiences that start in the summer of 2009. When will more information be available?
A: The Grant Director and Grant Coordinator will directly negotiate with museums and archives to write contracts with these agencies for the summer. Do not register on your own for summer workshops unless you have means other than grant funds to pay for them.
Q: How will the teacher contributions and activities of the grant be recorded?
A: A website will record the activities and work of the grant program. The website will include: lesson plans, essays, notes, photographs, additional lecture resources, and reactions of summer museum experiences. SUNY Stony Brook computer consultants will create and maintain the site.
Q: What happens if I decide not to get involved with grant activities?
A: It is your choice. We understand you are busy and may have other commitments. You may participate in activities in any year you feel you have time. All staff members are invited to use grant funds to attend the Long Island Council Fall Conference for each year of the grant. (Registration may be limited based on the availability of substitute teachers.)
Q: Why are we working with the William Floyd Central School District?
A: The staff of the William Floyd Union Free School District has had experience with successful federal grant programs in the recent past. In addition, collaboration with WFCD allowed us to request double the funds based on our total student enrollment for both school districts.
Q: How do I apply?
A:
Fill out the application form [