Katie Gorka Highlights Civics Education at History Rocks! Texas Event
Summary
U.S. Department of Education Senior Advisor for Civic Education Katie Gorka visited Waxahachie High School in Texas on April 20, 2026, as part of the national History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour celebrating America's 250th birthday. Approximately 2,000 students participated in interactive games designed to deepen understanding of American history, civics, and the role Texas has played in the nation's history. The initiative is coordinated with Freedom 250 and the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, with officials set to visit schools in all 50 states.
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GovPing monitors US Department of Education Press for new education regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
The U.S. Department of Education announced Senior Advisor Katie Gorka's visit to Waxahachie High School in Texas as part of the History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour, a national initiative celebrating America's 250th birthday. The event featured interactive civics and history games for approximately 2,000 students, with remarks from Principal Tony Escoto, Superintendent Becky McCutchen, and Senior Advisor Gorka.
This is an informational press release about a commemorative civic education initiative. It does not create any compliance obligations, regulatory requirements, or enforcement actions. Educational institutions and students in Texas are the primary audience for this outreach effort rather than subjects of any regulatory mandate.
Scheduled event
- Date
- 2026-04-20
- Location
- Waxahachie High School
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press Release
U.S. Department of Education Senior Advisor for Civic Education Katie Gorka Highlights Civics Education at “History Rocks!” Event in Texas
April 20, 2026
WAXAHACHIE, TX — Today, U.S. Department of Education (the Department) Senior Advisor for Civic Education Katie Gorka visited Waxahachie High School as part of the Department’s national History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour, in celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. The Tour aims to strengthen civic literacy by helping students personally connect with America’s founding principles.
Two thousand students participated in interactive games designed to deepen their understanding of American history and civics and the important role Texas has played in our nation’s history. The event opened with remarks from Principal Tony Escoto and Superintendent Becky McCutchen, followed by Senior Advisor Gorka. Students explored themes of civic engagement, patriotism, and the shared responsibilities of citizenship.
“Texas has always been a strong sense of independence and pride in shaping your own path,” said U.S. Department of Education Senior Advisor for Civic Education Katie Gorka. “ History Rocks! connects that mindset to the broader American story, helping students see how those same instincts have shaped our country and still matter today more than ever before.”
Background
The History Rocks! initiative is a key component of the U.S. Department of Education’s celebrations for America's 250th birthday, in partnership with Freedom 250 and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition. Secretary McMahon, Administration officials, and education leaders will visit schools in all 50 states to showcase examples of high-quality history and civics instruction that bring American principles to life.
Learn more about the Department’s Semiquincentennial initiatives here.
Freedom 250 leads the presidential programming for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Its mission is to unite Americans around one shared purpose—celebrating the Triumph of the American Spirit by honoring our history, cherishing our freedoms, and building the golden age of opportunity for the next 250 years.
Learn more about Freedom 250 here.
The America 250 Civics Education Coalition is a national partnership with the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 50 national and state organizations. This coalition is dedicated to advancing civic education and expanding opportunities for students to learn about the ideas, individuals, and events that define the American story.
Contact
Press Office (202) 401-1576 press@ed.gov
Tags
America250
Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO) Page Last Reviewed: April 20, 2026
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