The DC History Center is pleased to announce it will be collaborating with National History Day® (NHD) in presenting the DC History Day program during the 2023-2024 school year.
NHD, working with alumna Amy Oliver, will facilitate a virtual contest similar to that presented in spring 2023. At the same time, the DC History Center will conduct a comprehensive planning effort, starting in early 2024, with the goal of presenting an in-person contest again in spring 2025.
In light of the recently adopted social studies standards in DC, this approach acknowledges significant changes in how educators will teach history in Washington starting next year. It also reflects a desire to take stock of the program’s strengths and identify opportunities for growth in this post-COVID moment.
During this transition year, the DC History Center will conduct a series of outreach activities to engage new teachers and schools and overcome barriers to participation. They will conduct focus groups and workshops, in addition to communicating directly with teachers and school administrators. A key goal will be to further diversify the pool of participants, teachers, and judges so that it more closely matches the demographic composition of DC schools.
Recognizing that this solution is not optimal, Amy and NHD will run the virtual contest to ensure that DC students can fully participate in the NHD experience, including the opportunity to advance to the National Contest at the University of Maryland, College Park.
The DC History Center will then serve as the Washington, DC affiliate starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
Schools and teachers interested in participating in the 2023-2024 virtual contest should contact Amy Oliver at dchistoryday@nhd.org. At the DC History Center, Anne McDonough, deputy director, is happy to answer questions about the planning effort at amcdonough@dchistory.org.