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HR 885 112th Congress House

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

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

Official title: 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 10, 2011 Introduced by: Van Hollen, Chris Democratic · Maryland 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 educationGeography and mappingHigher educationTeaching, teachers, curricula
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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 21, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Mar 2, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Mar 2, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 21, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

 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 2
 Cosponsors 41
All 41 Democratic 21 Republican 1
Chandler, Ben
· Jun 6, 2012
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · May 17, 2012
Cardoza, Dennis
· May 9, 2012
Kissell, Larry
· May 9, 2012
 D
Quigley, Mike
Illinois · May 9, 2012
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Apr 26, 2012
Hanabusa, Colleen
· Apr 26, 2012
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Apr 26, 2012
 D
Luján, Ben Ray
New Mexico · Apr 26, 2012
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Apr 26, 2012
PASTOR, ED
· Apr 26, 2012
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Apr 25, 2012
SLAUGHTER, LOUISE
· Apr 25, 2012
GREEN, GENE
· Mar 22, 2012
FRANK, BARNEY
· Dec 1, 2011
Carnahan, Russ
· Nov 16, 2011
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · Nov 14, 2011
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Oct 11, 2011
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Aug 1, 2011
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Jul 21, 2011
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jul 14, 2011
CAPUANO, MICHAEL
· Jul 8, 2011
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Jul 8, 2011
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Jul 8, 2011
WU, DAVID
· Jul 8, 2011
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 3, 2011
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · May 3, 2011
 D
Tonko, Paul
New York · Apr 13, 2011
BERKLEY, SHELLEY
· Mar 29, 2011
Fortenberry, Jeff
· Mar 29, 2011
Boren, Dan
· Mar 14, 2011
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · Mar 10, 2011
UPTON, FRED
· Mar 10, 2011
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Mar 8, 2011
 D
Himes, James A.
Connecticut · Mar 8, 2011
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Mar 8, 2011
PLATTS, TODD
· Mar 8, 2011
ROSS, MIKE
· Mar 8, 2011
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Mar 3, 2011
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Mar 3, 2011
Walz, Timothy
· Mar 2, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 885: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-885/
MLA
"H.R. 885: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-885/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 885, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-885/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 885: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-885/)
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