The Teaching American History grant program recognizes the need for greater content knowledge of American History among teachers in elementary and secondary schools. These grants fund collaborative programs to raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of American history. Professional development activities vary widely and include coaching and mentoring approaches, technology-based and distance learning, field trips and field research opportunities, summer institutes with school-year follow-up workshops or colloquia, and combinations of pre-service and in-service training. Content ranges from a focus on major national political themes and events to cultural or social history of specific groups, state and local history, and development of student skills in historical inquiry.

BPA conducted a study for the U.S. Department of Education to carry out a study of the implementation of evaluations conducted by Teaching American History (TAH) Grantees. Project goals were to examine the challenges faced by the TAH grantees in conducting rigorous evaluations and to make recommendations on how these challenges might be addressed.