TEACHES. Prepares. Inspires.

Introduction:

What is National History Day?

National History Day is INNOVATIVE

• Year-long academic program for 6th to 12th grade students

• Centered around historical research, interpretation, and creative expression

• Teachers guide students through a step-by-step process of historical research and creative expression

National History Day is

CREATIVE• Students choose to create projects in one of

five categories:

Academic paper Exhibit DocumentaryPlay/theaterWebsite design

• Students RESEARCH and INTERPRET history.

National History Day is

CREATIVE

• Students submit their projects to local- and state-level History Day contests in the Spring

• Culminates in an exciting National History Day annual competition in the nation’s capital in June

National History Day is

FLEXIBLE• National History Day works for teachers –

integrates into (and enhances) standards-based curriculum

• Teachers work with a year-long program plan that provides:Sample topics and projectsHow-to information for the classroomLesson plans

National History Day WORKS.

Evaluation Study Findings

An Evaluation Study of the

National History Day Program

• An evaluation study conducted by research firm, Rockman et al, provides evidence that NHD works

• Researchers compared NHD participants to students who did not participate in NHD

• Looked at: Performance assessmentsStandardized test scoresAcademic performanceInterest in current events

On nearly every measure, NHD students’ scores or ratings were higher than their

peers who did not participate in the program.

An Evaluation Study of the

National History Day Program

• TEACHES critical thinking, writing, and research skills and boosts performance across all subjects.

 • PREPARES students for college, career and

citizenship.

• INSPIRES students to do more than they ever thought they could.

 

National History Day…

NHD students outperform their

non-NHD peers on standardized tests in all topic areas

In Texas, NHD students outperformed their non-NHD peers on TAKS tests

NHD students outperform their

non-NHD peers on standardized tests in all topic areas

 NHD students in South Carolina outperformed their non-NHD peers on English assessments

NHD students are better writers

NHD students had more exemplary writing scores, and fewer low scores*

*Post-writing scores only shown in this graphic

NHD Inspires students to do more than they ever thought they could

NHD has a positive impact among students whose interests in academic subjects may wane in high

school

• Among Black and Hispanic students, NHD students outperform non-NHD students, posting higher performance assessment scores and levels of interest and skills.

 • Compared to non-NHD boys and to all girls, boys participating in

NHD reported significantly higher levels of interest in history, civic engagement, and confidence in research skills, on both pre- and post-surveys.

NHD students learn 21st Century college- and career-ready skills

When asked about their confidence in a variety of career- and college-ready skills, NHD students have an edge over their

peers*

*Reported on a 6-point scale

NHD students are critical thinkers

Performance assessments show that NHD students overall were significantly better than their peers at interpreting historical

information

Endorsements of National History Day

National History Day is Endorsed

By Educators & Historians

• American Association for State and Local History• American Historical Association• Federation of State Humanities Councils• National Association of Secondary School

Principals• National Center for History in the Schools• National Council for History Education• National Council for the Social Studies• Organization of American Historians• Society of American Archivists

National History Day is Endorsed

By Teachers

I have discovered that National History Day has a life of its own. Research projects encourage young scholars to go outside the walls of their classroom and beyond the covers of their textbooks and discover their community.

- Mr. Huy Nguyen, Sunrise Park Middle School, White Bear Lake, MN

National History Day is Endorsed

By Teachers

I was drawn to National History Day because it is a program based on active learning. Students engage, question and create. Students DO what historians do when researching. How can we ask for more?

- James M. DeBroux, Random Lake High School, Random Lake, WI

Getting Started WithNational History Day

Learn More & Get Started

• Visit www.nhd.org and click on “Classroom Connection” to get curriculum materials and learn more.

• Become a fan on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/nationalhistoryday

• Follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/nationalhistory

• Check out videos from last year’s national contest on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/nationalhistory