Teaching Geography Is Fundamental*

A Resolution to Support the Enactment of Teaching Geography is Fundamental

(S.749 and H.R. 1240)

Submitted to the United States Senate and the United StatesHouse of Representatives

PREAMBLE The Teaching Geography Is Fundamental Act has been sponsored by members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives of the 111th Congress. It has been introduced in the Senate as S.749 and in the House of Representatives of as H.R.1240. Teaching Geography Is Fundamental is a bill “to improve and expand geographic literacy among kindergarten through grade 12 students in the United States by improving professional development programs for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers offered through institutions of higher education." It provides funds for national-level projects and research for collaborations between institutions of higher education and Geographic Alliances, non-profit educational organizations, and state or local educational agencies. Both the House and Senate versions of the bill allocate $15 million annually. WHEREAS, Both houses of the United States Congress have expressed significant bipartisan interest in, and sponsorship of the proposed legislation. WHEREAS, There is broad support to enhance geography in the curriculum based on the performance of United States' students on national and international measures of geography literacy. WHEREAS, Geography is a core discipline in the nation's schools and requires teacher professional development that is not specifically funded by national legislation: BE IT RESOLVED THAT, The National Council for Geographic Education, a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to the improvement of geography teaching, requests that the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives enact the proposed legislation within S.749 and H.R.1240 as law and authorize the requested funding to meet the future educational needs of students, teachers, and society.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL 2010. SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION.

* Source: National Council for Geographic Education