A $100 million initiative to improve the teaching of American history and civics won approval on a voice vote in the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. But its chances of becoming law this year could be slim.
The legislation, proposed by Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., would create summer academies for teachers and students in public elementary and secondary schools. It would authorize $25 million in annual grants to pilot programs for four years. Mr. Alexander instituted similar programs in Tennessee in 1983, when he was governor, said Alexia Poe, a spokeswoman for the senator.
The Senate, which had passed a different version of the bill last year, did not act on the House bill by the scheduled end of the lame-duck session of Congress on Nov. 20. But it now appears that Congress will return briefly this month to deal with a budget issue, leaving open the possibility the Senate could consider the House measure.
