Ask AHEF

Question 1

What is the American Heritage Education Foundation?

Accepted Answer

The American Heritage Education Foundation (AHEF) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation dedicated to the research, teaching and understanding of America's founding documents, history, government, philosophy and civic institutions. AHEF provides free K-College lesson plans, resources, teacher workshops and more to develop informed patriotism and responsible citizenship.

Question 2

Is AHEF a nonprofit, and is it partisan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and donations to it are tax-deductible. Its treatment of history is factual, objective and patriotic, and it welcomes Americans of every race, ethnicity, and religious or non-religious background who respect natural and civil rights.

Question 3

What is AHEF's mission?

Accepted Answer

AHEF's mission is the research, teaching and understanding of America's founding documents, history, philosophy and civic institutions, in order to develop informed patriotism and constructive, responsible citizenship in students and citizens.

Question 4

What is AHEF's vision?

Accepted Answer

AHEF envisions a nation where every elementary, middle and high school student is empowered with a profound appreciation for the founding ideas, principles and institutions of the United States.

Question 5

How does AHEF treat religion and the Bible?

Accepted Answer

AHEF teaches history factually and objectively, and gives special attention to the historical influence of the Bible on the nation's founding ethic. It is non-partisan and inclusive, welcoming Americans of every religious or non-religious background who respect natural and civil rights.

Question 6

How long has AHEF been around?

Accepted Answer

AHEF has been a trusted resource for educators for over 30 years, and began providing free K-12 lesson plans on America's founding principles in 1995. Its co-founders were recognized for their work as early as 1993.

Question 7

Where is AHEF located?

Accepted Answer

AHEF is based in Houston, Texas. You can reach the foundation by phone at 713.627.2698 or through the contact form on americanheritage.org.

Question 8

Who does AHEF serve?

Accepted Answer

AHEF supports administrators, teachers, homeschoolers, students and families across the country, as well as higher-education and adult learners, in exploring American history, government, civics and political philosophy.

Question 9

Are the lesson plans really free, and how do I get them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, AHEF's lesson plans and resources are completely free. The easiest way to access them is the free Educator Sign Up at americanheritage.org, after which you can view and download the lessons online.

Question 10

What grade levels do your lesson plans cover?

Accepted Answer

AHEF's lessons span K-College. America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty has elementary, middle and high school lessons; An Experiment in Self-Government has grades 6-12 units; and The Miracle of America course units serve high school, higher education and adult learners.

Question 11

Are the lessons aligned to standards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF's lessons meet NCSS C3 national social studies standards, and they emphasize primary source analysis, inquiry, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Question 12

What is included in an AHEF lesson?

Accepted Answer

Lessons include primary source analysis, question-and-answer, group discussions, hands-on activities, writing exercises and quizzes, and they are built to develop inquiry, critical thinking and problem-solving. They are classroom-ready and written by professional, certified educators.

Question 13

Who writes the lesson plans?

Accepted Answer

AHEF's lessons are written by a team of professional, certified educators, and many AHEF resources have been tested and proven to strengthen teacher education, professional development, curriculum and classroom learning.

Question 14

Can homeschoolers use AHEF resources?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF's free resources are designed for teachers, homeschoolers and students alike, and AHEF has been named to 'Best of the Best' homeschool curriculum lists.

Question 15

What is America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty?

Accepted Answer

An Adventure in Liberty is AHEF's free K-12 lesson-plan series, with elementary, middle and high school levels, introducing students to America's founding documents, principles and civic institutions. It received a Graphic Excellence Award in 2002.

Question 16

What is America's Heritage: An Experiment in Self-Government?

Accepted Answer

An Experiment in Self-Government is AHEF's free set of units for grades 6-12 (middle and high school), exploring how America's system of self-government works through its founding documents and principles.

Question 17

What is The Miracle of America?

Accepted Answer

The Miracle of America is AHEF's textbook by President and Editorial Director Angela E. Kamrath. It examines America's founding history and principles and the historical influence of the Bible on them, and has been described as the first systematic study of the relationship between American political and religious principles. It pairs with free 9-12 course units for high school, higher education and adult learners.

Question 18

Where can I get The Miracle of America book?

Accepted Answer

You can get The Miracle of America through the AHEF bookstore on americanheritage.org, which links to Amazon, and the free companion 9-12 course units are available online with an Educator Sign Up.

Question 19

Is the textbook endorsed by scholars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Miracle of America has been reviewed and endorsed by leading scholars, and AHEF is advised by scholars including Dr. Danilo Petranovich, Dr. Steve Balch, Dr. Brian Domitrovic, Dr. Rob Koons and Dr. Mark David Hall.

Question 20

What founding principles does AHEF teach?

Accepted Answer

AHEF helps students explore the principles at the heart of America's founding: God-given rights, the law of nature and nature's God, equality, popular sovereignty, the social contract, separation of powers, limited government, the rule of law, a constitutional republic, federalism and religious freedom.

Question 21

Which founding documents does AHEF cover?

Accepted Answer

AHEF's lessons are built around America's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, taught through primary-source analysis.

Question 22

What is FUPR?

Accepted Answer

FUPR stands for Freedom, Unity, Progress and Responsibility. It is AHEF's framework, or 'formula,' for understanding why the American experiment in self-government has succeeded, and it runs throughout AHEF's curriculum and materials.

Question 23

What does Freedom mean in FUPR?

Accepted Answer

Freedom is described as the most important characteristic of America. The Founders saw freedom as a God-given right that no ruler or government could grant or take away, and that belief drove the fight for independence.

Question 24

What does Unity mean in FUPR?

Accepted Answer

Unity is the second characteristic: the states uniting under one Constitution despite their differences, captured in the motto E Pluribus Unum, 'out of many, one.'

Question 25

What does Progress mean in FUPR?

Accepted Answer

Progress is the third characteristic: the major advances in science, industry and living standards made possible by freedom, unity and the Constitution. AHEF names four drivers of progress: freedom, education, capital investment and energy.

Question 26

What does Responsibility mean in FUPR?

Accepted Answer

Responsibility is the fourth characteristic: citizens must be educated, engaged and able to choose ethical leaders. AHEF cites John Adams: 'Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.'

Question 27

What programs does AHEF offer?

Accepted Answer

AHEF supports classrooms seven ways: America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty (K-12), An Experiment in Self-Government (6-12), The Miracle of America (textbook + free 9-12 units), the American History & Western Civilization Challenge Bowl, American Heritage Month, AHEF Seminars & Teacher Workshops, and The Founding Blog.

Question 28

What is the Challenge Bowl?

Accepted Answer

The American History & Western Civilization Challenge Bowl (AHWCCB) is AHEF's competitive academic program in which students test their knowledge of American history and Western civilization.

Question 29

What is American Heritage Month?

Accepted Answer

American Heritage Month is an annual observance held every November, encouraging schools and communities to celebrate and teach America's founding history and principles.

Question 30

Does AHEF offer teacher workshops?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF offers Seminars and Teacher Workshops, which provide professional development for educators on teaching America's founding documents, history and principles.

Question 31

What is The Founding Blog?

Accepted Answer

The Founding Blog is AHEF's free collection of articles, research, videos and teaching ideas on America's founding history, principles and civic institutions.

Question 32

Does AHEF offer a scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF runs a college academic scholarship competition. For current details on eligibility and deadlines, contact AHEF or check americanheritage.org.

Question 33

Why does civic education matter?

Accepted Answer

AHEF points to a decline in civic knowledge: for example, a 2005 American Bar Association poll found 45% of Americans could not name the three branches of government, a 2008 study found 71% failed a basic civic literacy test, and 2014 NAEP results found only 18% of 8th graders proficient in U.S. History. AHEF provides free resources to help reverse that trend.

Question 34

What problem does AHEF address?

Accepted Answer

AHEF addresses the decline in the teaching of America's founding principles in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, which it argues threatens informed self-government. Its solution is ongoing, accessible civic education through free lesson plans and resources, work it began in 1995.

Question 35

Who founded AHEF?

Accepted Answer

AHEF was co-founded by Dr. Richard J. Gonzalez (1912-1998), an economist, and Eugenie 'Jeannie' Gonzalez, a former Houston ISD trustee, together with Jack Kamrath.

Question 36

Who leads AHEF today?

Accepted Answer

AHEF is led by Angela E. Kamrath (President and Editorial Director, and author of The Miracle of America), Jack Kamrath (Co-Founder and Vice-President), Dr. Michael Owens (Director of Education) and Claudine Kamrath (Outreach Coordinator and Resource Designer).

Question 37

Who advises AHEF?

Accepted Answer

AHEF is advised by a board of scholars including Dr. Danilo Petranovich, Dr. Steve Balch, Dr. Brian Domitrovic, Dr. Rob Koons and Dr. Mark David Hall.

Question 38

Has AHEF won awards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Recent recognition includes Best of the Best Homeschool Curriculum and Parents' Picks awards (2026) and an HTH award (2025). AHEF has also received the NSDAR Mary Smith Lockwood Medal for Education (2011), the NSSAR Distinguished Patriot Award (2008), a Graphic Excellence Award (2002), and recognition from the Houston ISD and the City of Houston.

Question 39

Do teachers and families recommend AHEF?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF is highly reviewed by teachers and families. One homeschooling parent wrote, 'This is the most complete resource that I have found yet, and I am totally amazed. My son has really excelled in this subject since we received the Lesson Plans.'

Question 40

How can I support AHEF?

Accepted Answer

You can support AHEF by donating (donations are tax-deductible and fund the free resources), signing up as an educator to use and share the materials, following the Founding Blog and social media, and attending or sharing AHEF's programs.

Question 41

Are donations tax-deductible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because AHEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, donations are tax-deductible, and they help keep AHEF's lesson plans and resources free for educators and families.

Question 42

How do I get started as an educator?

Accepted Answer

Start with the free Educator Sign Up at americanheritage.org, which gives you access to the lesson plans and resources. You can also explore the bookstore, the Founding Blog and AHEF's workshops.

Question 43

How do I contact AHEF?

Accepted Answer

You can reach AHEF by phone at 713.627.2698 or through the contact form on americanheritage.org. AHEF is based in Houston, Texas.

Question 44

Does AHEF have social media or a newsletter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AHEF shares updates through its social media channels and a newsletter sign-up on americanheritage.org, alongside The Founding Blog and its YouTube videos.

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