Photograph by Yan Zverev, MyShot
State of Geography Education in America
Of nine areas listed as core academic subjects in the No Child Left Behind Act, geography is the only one that has no dedicated federal funding program. Because National Geographic is committed to building a geo-literate society, we are joining with educators and legislators in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to establish legislation that will fund efforts to improve geographic education across the U.S.
On March 2, 2011, the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (TGIF) was introduced in the 112th Congress as Senate Bill 434 and House Resolution 885. In the House of Representatives the bill was introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Thomas Petri and Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN). Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced the bill in the Senate, with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) signing on as the lead Democratic cosponsor. TGIF establishes a federal funding program to improve geography education, similar to programs for the other eight core academic subjects that were authorized in the No Child Left Behind Act. In the 111th Congress, more than 20 Senators and 120 Representatives from both parties signed on as co-sponsors.
Find out how you can support the National Geographic Education Foundation Policy Initiative by visiting our What You Can Do page.
Geography Legislator of the Year Award
This award, from the National Geographic Education Foundation, recognizes key congressional leaders for their commitment to making high-quality geography education available for all K-12 students, preparing young Americans to succeed in an international future.
Award recipients
2007 - Inaugural award to honor the four lead sponsors of the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act
Senator Thad Cochran (R - MS)
Senator Christopher Dodd (D - CT)
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D - MD)
Representative Roger Wicker (R - MS)
2008
Senator Edward Kennedy (D - MA)
Senator Lamar Alexander (R - TN)
Representative Tim Walz (D - MN)
Representative Roy Blunt (R - MO)
2009
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D - MD)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - AK)
Representative Vernon Ehlers (R - MI)
Representative Susan Davis (D - CA)
Of nine areas listed as core academic subjects in the No Child Left Behind Act, geography is the only one that has no dedicated federal funding program. Because National Geographic is committed to building a geo-literate society, we are joining with educators and legislators in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to establish legislation that will fund efforts to improve geographic education across the U.S.
On March 2, 2011, the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (TGIF) was introduced in the 112th Congress as Senate Bill 434 and House Resolution 885. In the House of Representatives the bill was introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Thomas Petri and Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN). Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced the bill in the Senate, with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) signing on as the lead Democratic cosponsor. TGIF establishes a federal funding program to improve geography education, similar to programs for the other eight core academic subjects that were authorized in the No Child Left Behind Act. In the 111th Congress, more than 20 Senators and 120 Representatives from both parties signed on as co-sponsors.
Find out how you can support the National Geographic Education Foundation Policy Initiative by visiting our What You Can Do page.
Geography Legislator of the Year Award
This award, from the National Geographic Education Foundation, recognizes key congressional leaders for their commitment to making high-quality geography education available for all K-12 students, preparing young Americans to succeed in an international future.
Award recipients
2007 - Inaugural award to honor the four lead sponsors of the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act
Senator Thad Cochran (R - MS)
Senator Christopher Dodd (D - CT)
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D - MD)
Representative Roger Wicker (R - MS)
2008
Senator Edward Kennedy (D - MA)
Senator Lamar Alexander (R - TN)
Representative Tim Walz (D - MN)
Representative Roy Blunt (R - MO)
2009
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D - MD)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - AK)
Representative Vernon Ehlers (R - MI)
Representative Susan Davis (D - CA)
