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College of Social Sciences
High-need students and students from underserved populations have the opportunity to build the future by studying the past through the REACHABLE grant.
In 2017, Fresno State was awarded a $1.7 million (5- year) REACHABLE grant by the U.S. Department of Education. A grant that seeks to engage Fresno State scholars with local teachers and students around a shared interest in history and civics. It also offers opportunities to teachers and students in the greater Fresno area who are excited about learning more about history and civics, but who may not have had opportunities to explore these themes in greater depth.
Our goals include increasing student achievement and developing college-ready skills for students through introducing them to the rich resources of national parks, national monuments and historic landmarks in California.
Spearheaded by former Provost Lynnette Zelezny and Dr. DenBeste, Fresno State is offering many resources to assist in this project. A number of Fresno State scholars give lectures to participants and are involved in planning appropriate activities. Fresno State has also partnered with the Fresno Historical Society and the California History Social Sciences project to provide content as the REACHABLE grant seeks to demonstrate that history matters.
American History and Civics Teachers (50 per year) and 11th and 12th grade high school students (100 per year).
Any teacher in the greater Fresno County area who teaches American History or civics is eligible to apply. In the event that we receive too many applications, priority spots will go to Fresno Unified School teachers and to 11th and 12th grade history and civics teachers. However, all teachers who teach (or may teach) American history content are encouraged to apply. All teachers who apply must nominate 2-5 students for the congressional academies, as those students will be selected from a teacher created pool. Priority will be given to teachers serving high-need students and students from underserved populations to help ensure that these students have access to high-quality, interactive instruction that will help them become college- and career-ready and be better prepared to participate fully in civic activities.
Congressional Academies for 11th and 12th grade students of American history and civics will begin with an orientation in March, student and mentor meetings in April, assigned research to be done in April through June, followed by a week long virtual seminar. Public health conditions and COVID travel restrictions allowing, this may be followed by a 3 to 4 day trip to historical locations in California.
Teachers will receive 2 units of Fresno State graduate credit, a $2,000 stipend, and a week of intensive learning and research. Teachers will return to the classroom with a deeper knowledge of American history and civics and at least one reinterpreted and reinvigorated lesson ready for classroom implementation. All content will be aligned to California history standards and common core curriculum. Students will receive training and practice in history/civics research, a $500 stipend, a week of intensive learning and access to college mentoring.
TBD
For more information about the grant or for information about application procedures please contact Dr. Lisa Bryant, Professor of Political Science at Fresno State (lbryant@csufresno.edu) or Sierra Anderson, sianderson@mail.fresnostate.edu 559-278-3013.