Why Participate in National History Day?

• The NHD program helps students not only with history content, but also improves reading, interpreting, analyzing, and writing skills that eventually transfers to other subject areas.  The rigorous program helps prepare students for college classes and guides them to be informed citizens.

 

Evaluation of NHD completed.  What did they find out?

“On almost every measure, NHD students’ scores or ratings were higher. They are better writers, more confident and capable researchers, perform better on high-stakes tests, and have a more mature perspective on current events and civic engagement. The study confirmed—with empirical, independently gathered data—the positive impact of NHD participation on students’ academic performance. Moreover, findings suggested that NHD students are better prepared for college, careers, and civic participation.”
-Rockman et al Firm, full text in article below

Read full report of research findings. Click Here!

• Students involved with NHD today have the opportunity to develop a value for the world, country, state, county, city, or town history of where they live.  In less than eighteen years, today’s sixth-graders will make political decisions that affect the preservation of history.  That time is even sooner for today’s high school seniors.  An appreciation for the past will help ensure that those decisions are wise, well thought through, and carefully analyzed.

 

• Students learn the value of collecting and preserving the past through research.  They uncover gems from the past that are only available today because yesterday someone had the foresight to save it and preserve it for future generations.  They learn the value of solid research and how to interpret and disseminate information to a broader public audience.  NHD provides the perfect platform for students to explore history museums in the true sense that they were meant to be explored.