Vermont Teacher Leads Students in National Program Shown to Boost School Performance and Job Skills
Dateline: March 14, 2011
Barre, Vt.– For more than 28 years, the Vermont Historical Society has run Vermont History Day (VHD), a state affiliate program of National History Day (NHD), coordinating the state-level competitions and providing support for teachers and students throughout the school year.
During this time, Sue Pollender, history teacher at Black River Middle/High School in Ludlow, Vermont has led students through the rigorous challenges of both Vermont History Day and National History Day. Sue strongly agrees with recent National History Day study results: “History Day teaches critical thinking and invaluable skills preparing students for college. They research and really dig to find the story and learn to use primary and secondary sources to create their own vision of history.”
Vermont History Day and National History Day are academic programs for middle and secondary school students focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression. History Day participants become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique expressions of history for today’s world. Sue Pollender taught two students who have pursued a video production career because of their History Day experience.
This year, more than 125 students from 20 schools are taking part in VHD, which will be held on April 2nd at Spaulding High School in Barre. Vermont Historical Society’s VHD Co-Coordinator Kathleen D’Aquila says, “History Day is not only a unique way to learn about the past, but a unique way for students to do more than they thought they could.”
“Many Vermont teachers guide students through History Day projects year after year. Their excitement and support of the program also leads some of their students to participate year after year. Sue Pollender is a great example,” adds Victoria Hughes, Vermont Historical Society’s VHD Co-Coordinator.
The National History Day organization recently commissioned a study that found that on nearly every scholastic measure, participants’ scores were higher than their peers who did not participate in the program.
Some of the important findings include:
• NHD students outperform their non-NHD peers on state standardized tests, not only in social studies, but in reading, science and math as well.
• NHD students are better writers scoring above average on writing assignments.
• NHD students are critical thinkers who can digest, analyze and synthesize information.
• NHD students learn 21st century skills. They learn how to collaborate with team members, talk to experts, manage their time and persevere.
The full report, National History Day Works, is available at www.nhd.org/NHDWorks.
Vermont teacher, Sue Pollender concludes, “The program is inclusive of all levels and incorporates all skills―it speaks to student’s strengths.”
About Vermont History Day
Vermont History Day (VHD) is a state affiliate program of National History Day (NHD). Each year, NHD selects an annual theme. Students, as individuals or groups, research a topic in local, state, national or international history that falls under the annual theme. Vermont students in grades 5-12 or home study students ages 10-18 can participate. Students present their research in the form of a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. VHD takes place in early spring at a central Vermont location. Student projects are judged by a team of dedicated and qualified volunteers. Judges evaluate projects based on historical quality, relation to theme, and clarity of presentation. Some projects qualify for NHD, which takes place in June of every year in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit www.vermonthistory.org/historyday for more information, or call Kathleen D’Aquila at (802) 828-2180.
About National History Day
National History Day (NHD) is a year-long academic organization for elementary and secondary school students. Each year more than half a million students participate in the NHD contests. Students choose historical topics related to a theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources and drawing conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, students present their work in original papers, websites, exhibits, performances and documentaries. The program culminates in a national competition each June held at the University of Maryland at College Park. Visit www.nhd.org.
