In October 2005, the U.S. Department of Education (Teaching American History Grant Program) awarded Floyd County Public Schools, Roanoke City Public Schools (LEA), Roanoke County Public Schools and Salem City Public Schools (Commonwealth of Virginia: Region VI Superintendents' Study Group Region), $1,000,000 to implement an intensive 3 year professional development program to support the teaching and learning of American history.

The program is offered to all K-12 teachers who are responsible for teaching the content of the state-required American history standards in the four participating school districts. Monthly seminars, graduate coursework, and summer seminars serve as the foundation for this program.