The Issue

As the focus of our nation's education system increasingly shifts to a STEM-centric curriculum, we lose sight of the important role the humanities play in educational development. Today, many believe an education heavily centered on math, science, and reading comprehension will offer our students their best chance to succeed post-graduation. Standardized tests focus almost exclusively on these subjects, further encouraging teachers to spend valuable classroom time on these topics at the expense of subjects such as history.

Through no fault of their own, our state's young people are losing their understanding of the past. Thankfully, many students actively seek this understanding through the Texas History Day program. With your support, you can help enhance our students' study of the past while helping them learn valuable skills needed to succeed in the future.

The Program

Each year, more than 65,000 Texas students in grades 6-12 participate in the Texas History Day program, a year-long statewide historical research competition. Students thoroughly research a historical topic of their choice to present at regional contests across the state. Regional winners then advance to the state competition at the University of Texas at Austin, where first and second place finishers in each category advance to the national contest in Maryland. Contest categories include research papers, exhibits, performances, websites, and documentaries, all of which help students learn valuable skills to help them in other areas inside and outside of school.

The Benefits

Your investment in the Texas History Day program will lead students to educational successes in the short and long-term. Consider the following:

THD teaches students critical thinking, writing, collaboration, and research skills. Whether they work independently or in a group, students develop these crucial life skills through the work they put into their project.

THD students outperform their peers in state standardized tests across a variety of subjects. These findings show that historical research doesn't detract from their ability to succeed in STEM classes. In fact, it enhances their abilities.

Students develop an understanding of those who preceded them. They learn to research and interpret documents to discover how events from the past helped to shape the present.

Why the Students Need Your Help

Your support is crucial to Texas students' education. Carolina, a THD alumnus, said this about her experience in the program:

"It was an experience to remember. Texas History Day is one of the only things I have ever competed in that I feel like my hard work matters. It's fun and I love it. "

Help more students develop a love for history, a desire to enrich their education, and a feeling that their hard work leads to significant accomplishments. Support Texas students by making a contribution to the Texas History Day program today.

About the Texas State Historical Association

TSHA is an independent nonprofit that operates the Texas History Day program. The mission of TSHA is to foster the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the rich and unique history of Texas.