The School District of Springfield R-12 in Springfield, Missouri will partner with Southwest Missouri State University to construct a graduate program for middle and high school teachers. The goal of the project is to improve middle and high school student achievement in American History. In addition to five core courses, summer institutes will take the place of research seminars. The district proposes to enroll 30 social studies teachers in a graduate program that will provide training over the three-year grant period in American History, offering the courses via the Internet