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| Report Highlights History Knowledge |
| posted by: Alix | June 28, 2011, 03:58 PM |
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According to a new report issued by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, history test scores have risen slowly since 1994, yet large majorities of students still fall well below proficiency, particularly high school seniors. In what seems like a set up for a late-night show sketch, according to statistics, most fourth-graders who took a national U.S. history test last year were perplexed when asked the question: Identify a picture of Abraham Lincoln and give two reasons why he was important. For older students, basic questions didn't prove an easier. A majority of eighth-graders had trouble with this question: Articulate an advantage American forces had over the British during the Revolutionary War. And most seniors missed: Why did the United States enter World War I? Shocking. Clearly, when students can't answer basic thematic history questions, there is a serious problem. Education experts assert poor performance in U.S. history reflects a diminished focus on social studies and a laser focus on reading and math as a result of No Child Left Behind. Others point to academic standards. While academic standards have been tightened, and in some cases federally mandated for reading and math across the country, history standards and course sequence vary widely by state and district. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), a former U.S. education secretary, advocated for a return to robust history and civics instruction. "For middle school and high school students, U.S. history remains our students' worst subject and we must do better. We need to return U.S. history to its rightful place in the classroom so that our children grow up learning what it means to be an American." The statistics are not all negative, however. According to the report, 73 percent of fourth-graders scored basic or better in 2010, up from 64 percent in 1994. For eighth-graders, the rate was 69 percent, up from 61 percent. For 12th-graders, 45 percent showed at least basic knowledge, up from 43 percent. While scores are slowly increasing over time, across the board, students were more likely to score below basic than to demonstrate a proficient or advanced level of historical knowledge. So how does this generation stack up against previous ones? Everyone is familiar with the saying, "If we don't understand history, we are doomed to repeat it." In a recent post, Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews pointed out, "In a history test given to 7,000 college freshmen in 1943, only 6 percent could name the 13 original colonies, and only 13 percent identified James Madison as president during the War of 1812. Historian Allan Nevins said such historical illiteracy could be a liability in beating the Nazis." So, are these statistics disheartening or typical? Do we need to reevaluate our education priorities to ensure our students are coming out of school with these facts and dates? Clearly history is important to the American culture; in order to appreciate our democracy we must learn about the great men and women who got us here. This 4th of July, use the report as a wake-up call and discuss the American Revolution with anyone who will listen. What do you think about the report's findings? Comment below. Comments (1)
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As a government(Civics)teacher, I find students in the grade level that it is taught is not relevent to them yet. It has to be taught in this grade level because of high stakes testing. There is no easy solution. I am fortunate to teach in a High School where we have the highest test scores in the district. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to working with the students to help each one to become successful. Patriotism is not the problem.
What is revealed to the public including students of all ages by the media may be part of the problem. With both parents in a household working it is hard to monitor what students in middle and high schools watch. Report more good news!