Ashland, KY (October 2025) – The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) is proud to announce it has been awarded the American History and Civics Education National Activities Grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, to launch its new initiative, Passport to Learning.
This three-year project will provide teachers and students across eastern Kentucky with high-quality professional learning and civic education opportunities that bring American history, civics, and geography to life. The initiative coincides with the nation’s upcoming Semiquincentennial—250th anniversary of America’s founding—and seeks to deepen understanding of the founding principles, historical challenges, and democratic ideals that continue to shape our country.
Through Passport to Learning, KEDC and its partners will:
- Deliver innovative seminars and professional development rooted in primary sources, founding documents, and civic traditions.
- Equip educators with evidence-based strategies to engage students in critical thinking, civic discourse, and historical inquiry.
- Create opportunities for students to explore America’s history through interactive, place-based learning experiences that connect classrooms to the nation’s heritage.
- Focus on underserved rural communities, ensuring equitable access to high-quality civic learning.
“Passport to Learning is about preparing the next generation of informed citizens by giving educators the tools to make history and civics meaningful, relevant, and inspiring,” said Nancy Hutchinson, KEDC CEO. “This grant allows us to honor America’s past while helping students imagine their role in its future.”
The U.S. Department of Education designed this program to encourage new and innovative approaches to teaching American history and civics. Grants are awarded competitively to organizations with demonstrated expertise and commitment to expanding civic education nationwide.
KEDC’s Passport to Learning will serve as a cornerstone for professional development and classroom enrichment throughout the Commonwealth, creating lasting impact well beyond the Semiquincentennial.
