Led by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center, the Appalachian Ohio Teaching American History Grant Project serves 29 eastern Ohio school districts. More than 22 percent of the schools in these districts have not achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for two or more years, and in most of these schools, scores on the state social studies exam are the lowest of any subject area. To bolster the teaching of American history in these schools, teachers will be invited each summer to attend one or two of six week-long summer institutes at Ashland University. Teachers will also attend up to four 2-day seminars each year at historical sites in Ohio. At least 50 teachers will receive professional development over the course of the project. Additionally, four master teachers who have received training through previous Teaching American History grants will mentor participants, assist with professional development and review teachers' lessons for alignment with state standards. Throughout the project, teachers will examine significant issues, episodes and turning points in American history as they study the actions of men and women who have struggled to shape the nation. In the classroom, teachers will promote critical thinking and student inquiry skills as they incorporate primary documents and historical artifacts into their teaching. Lesson plans developed by teachers during summer institutes will be made available on the Ohio Humanities Council Web site.