Washington ? A pair of Kansas school districts are getting some federal help to improve the teaching of history.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Monday that districts in Hutchinson and Olathe are receiving money from the “Teaching American History” grant program.

Hutchinson will get more than $940,000 in grant money, while Olathe will receive slightly more than $800,000.

The program aims to improve history education by raising teachers’ understanding of history through professional development and mentoring with professional historians.

Schools in 40 states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa are getting the grant money.