Thursday, March 28, 2024

AT&T Makes Contribution to Support Colonial Williamsburg Teaching Materials

The Capitol is among the Colonial Williamsburg sites traditionally closed in January for maintenance. (WYDaily Staff)

More than 7,500 students across 32 states will have access to learning material from Colonial Williamsburg Foundation thanks to a $35,000 contribution from AT&T.

“The Idea of America” is an award-winning history and civics course that includes supplemental and interactive course content based upon “the great debate,” or the debate over the proper balance between deeply held values in America.

Classes studying “The Idea of America” examine 65 case studies that capture Americans’ contrasting interpretations of shared values throughout the development of the American government. Case studies include debates ranging from enslavement to the New Deal.

Coursework highlights the basic value tension at play, including unity versus diversity, private versus common wealth, freedom versus equality and law versus ethics.

“The same debates that took place in the halls, streets and taverns of Williamsburg more than 200 years ago continue today, and are as relevant as they were then,” Colonial Williamsburg President and CEO Mitchell B. Reiss said in a news release. “We are deeply grateful for AT&T’s critical support for ‘The Idea of America’ course content, which will help ensure that today’s students understand, appreciate and engage in ‘the great debate.’”

Almost 500 educators requested access to “The Idea of America,” with 111 teachers selected to receive access to the program. As a result, 7,750 students will get to learn with the material.

One school in the Historic Triangle – Williamsburg Montessori School – received access to the program for 30 of its students. Williamsburg Montessori School was one of seven schools selected in Virginia.

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