History Day California to Get a New Home Next Year

National History Day and Constitutional Rights Foundation announce that National History Day California will be sponsored by the Orange County Department of Education beginning in school year 2010-11. Constitutional Rights Foundation, History Day in California’s sponsor for 25 years, will continue to play a significant role on the new expanded state advisory board.

History Day in California, one of the largest state competitions, is held in 34 counties and reaches some 44,000 students each year. Constitutional Rights Foundation and the dedicated county coordinators and volunteer judges built the program from an original 10 counties  into the exemplary competition it is today. History Day in California has made numerous contributions to the competition including pioneering the elementary student poster category and the web site category, which is now part of the national competition. Over the years, California students have performed very well at the national level, last  year taking home eight medals, more than any other state.

It is expected that Orange County Department of Education, the current state sponsor of California’s Academic Pentathlon, will continue this proud tradition while bringing expanded resources and additional staff to the program. OCDE also hopes to expand participation in Northern California and affiliate with institutions of higher education to house the program.

“We are proud of our role in History Day, the dedication and creativity of our staff in building the program, the accomplishments of students, and the passion of teachers and parents who support them. We wish the Orange County Department of Education the best in moving the program forward,” said Michael Lawson, CRF’s Chairman of the Board.

"We are very grateful to the Constitutional Rights Foundation for its leadership over the years.  Its commitment and dedicated staff built the History Day program into what it is today--one of our finest and largest state  affiliates," said Cathy Gorn, Executive Director of National History Day.  "I know that the Constitutional Rights Foundation will remain a close friend and advisor and look forward to continue working with the organization into the future."