Former Secretary of Education William Bennett Creates Innovative History Series for Grades 8–12
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishes and distributes America: The Last Best Hope program to teach students American history
BOSTON — December 29, 2009 — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced an exclusive agreement with former U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett to distribute America: The Last Best Hope, a three volume series and interactive website on United States history that will be available January 1, 2010 for grades 8–12.
“Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is excited to partner with Secretary Bennett, and to benefit from his unique experiences with education, by distributing this groundbreaking new series,” said Bethlam Forsa, Executive Vice President of Content Development and Publishing Operations, K–12 Publishers, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “As students of this generation seek out unique methods of learning, this program meets them where they already are — in cyberspace.”
America: The Last Best Hope is told by eminent author and educator William J. Bennett, and curricular applications were developed by noted, award winning educators and American history experts. The books are available in e-reader versions as well as standard texts. In addition, Team HOPE (“History Opens Eyes”) has developed innovative and revolutionary online companion materials for students and teachers, called The Roadmap, to change the way American history is learned and taught.
Secretary Bennett stated: “History is our nation’s school children’s worst subject. And yet, the history of America is the greatest story of the modern era. It should not be boring, it should not be dumbed-down, and it should not be politicized. It is the story of a great experiment — what Abraham Lincoln called a ‘proposition.’ It is the story of many noble efforts to live up to that proposition, sometimes failing, more often, succeeding. This great adventure is told the best way I know how, chronologically, excitingly, honestly. ‘Once Upon A Time’ can still be an invitation to our youth and there is no greater ‘Once Upon A Time’ than ours. It is the dream of a lifetime for me to have a textbook in our nation’s schools explaining all of this — and with a most exciting curriculum to accompany it. And to do so with the leader in excellence in education publishing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is a special privilege.”
The Roadmap includes interactive websites and thematic audio podcasts from Secretary Bennett himself, introducing the chapters and telling stories that extend beyond the chapter information. Study aids assist students in organizing and learning the material and for assisting them in preparation for state, national, and Advanced Placement examinations. Other features include pre-screened hyperlinks to major historical events and people, games, timelines, maps and images, primary sources and a quiz center.
To learn more about America: The Last Best Hope, visit http://www.roadmaptolastbesthope.com/home
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world’s largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K–12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.
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Justin Joseph
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5020
Justin.Joseph@hmhpub.com