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S 749 111th Congress Senate

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

Official title: A bill to improve and expand geographic literacy among kindergarten through grade 12 students in the United States by improving professional development progra… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to improve and expand geographic literacy among kindergarten through grade 12 students in the United States by improving professional development programs for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers offered through institutions of higher education.

Introduced: March 31, 2009 See on congress.gov
Education Academic performance and assessmentsArea studies and international educationEarth sciencesEducation programs funding
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Educational technology and distance educationElementary and secondary educationHigher educationTeaching, teachers, curricula
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 31, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mar 31, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4072-4073)
Mar 31, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 31, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a geography education grant program under title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement).

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to a national nonprofit educational organization or consortium, with 75% to be used for matching subgrants to institutions of higher education associated with state geographic alliances, nonprofit educational organizations, or state or local educational agencies.

Requires program participants to use their grants and subgrants to enhance the geographic literacy of students in kindergarten through grade 12 by supporting specified activities, including: (1) educational research; (2) teacher training; (3) the development of effective teaching tools and learning materials; (4) the application of rigorous academic standards and assessment techniques; (5) comparative studies of world cultures, economies, and environments; and (6) the exchange of information regarding the state of geographic literacy and strategies for its improvement.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 8
All 8 Democratic 4 Republican 3 Independent 1
D
Whitehouse, Sheldon
Rhode Island · Jul 29, 2010
 D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Jun 24, 2009
 D
Bennet, Michael F.
Colorado · May 7, 2009
 R
Murkowski, Lisa
Alaska · May 7, 2009
 R
Collins, Susan M.
Maine · Apr 21, 2009
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Apr 21, 2009
 D
Murray, Patty
Washington · Mar 31, 2009
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Mar 31, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 749: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-749/
MLA
"S. 749: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-749/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 749, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-749/.
Markdown link
[S. 749: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-749/)
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