Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a ‘Crisis’

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

Fewer than half of American eighth graders knew the purpose of the Bill of Rights on the most recent national civics examination, and only one in 10 demonstrated acceptable knowledge of the checks and balances among the legislative, executive and judicial branches, according to test results released on Wednesday.

At the same time, three-quarters of high school seniors who took the test, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, were unable to demonstrate civic skills like identifying the effect of United States foreign policy on other nations or naming a power granted to Congress by the Constitution.

“Today’s NAEP results confirm that we have a crisis on our hands when it comes to civics education,” said Sandra Day O’Connor, the former Supreme Court justice, who last year founded icivics.org, a nonprofit group that teaches students civics through Web-based games and other tools.

The Department of Education administered the tests, known as the nation’s report card, to 27,000 4th-, 8th- and 12th-grade students last year. Questions cover themes including how government is financed, what rights are protected by the Constitution and how laws are passed.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/education/05civics.html

---

Future Fox News/talk radio ratings.

[Atman]

1. The Republican plan is working!

It's taken a long time...just a few more years, when Neil and Jebbie have privatized all the schools...then the mission will have been accomplished.

[otohara]

3. What Government?

if their plan goes as planned, government will be something my grandchildren will read about in the history books.
History books will come from The Heritage Foundation.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. It already happened in some texas districts. nt

[jdlh8894]

5. Can you answer those questions? Please?

[Atman]

19. Well yes. I'm sure I could.

I'm old...we used to have to take civics in school. Now I work in politics. I don't think I'd have a problem with the test.

[jdlh8894]

22. OK . According to the Constitution

What powers are granted to Congress?
Please,don't go to Wiki!

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. A national tragedy

It is also why these young people may lose what is left of their freedoms in the future.

[antigop]

4. Sandra Day O'Connor lecturing us on civics --- HA! n/t

[snot]

6. K&R'd!

[antigop]

7. Hey, Sandra -- let's use Bush v. Gore to start our civics "education" n/t

[UpInArms]

31. David Bois - worse oral argument before the USSC evah!

asswipe never questioned the use of the 14th amendment to protect Dimson's rights instead of the rights of the voters - abso-fuck-ing-lutely the worst attorney in action -

bleh

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. I'm not surprised.

It's not just our youth who know little to nothing about civics. If they were to poll adult Americans I suspect the results would be similar. I'm amazed daily by how many people I deal with who have no real understanding of the civics of our country. Most think all they have to do is stick an American flag sticker on their vehicle to be a good American citizen. :(

[plumbob]

30. Ridiculous, isn't it? They need a flag AND a gun on their hip!

If they will add a bumper sticker opposing abortion, they are doing a great job as an American citizen!

Woo-hoo!

[liberal N proud]

9. Schools no longer teach civics or even history

This is all from the No Child Left Behind initiative one republican president put in place. They all teach to these standardized tests which are designed to prevent the students from learning anything that might make them self thinking.

A stupid population is much easier to manipulate than a well educated one.

[Maat]

12. Well, it was on my 8th-grader's annual testing ...

just this year; and, she was proud she knew the material (I'd emphasized it)(we homestudy).

[liberal N proud]

Good for you

[Maat]

17. Thanks -

she said that they asked her about the first ten amendments (the Bill of Rights), in addition to another question. That was it, though.

[Melinda]

27. Dupe; nevermind ;)

[alp227]

13. i listen to thom hartmann and he says that Reagan admin began dismantling civics

and so that's why after 1983 kids no longer learn about labor history in school because of Reagan's education secretary Bill Bennett (the "Book of Virtues" author turned gambling addict) thought: "They're teaching socialism!"

[liberal N proud]

16. One more thing we can attribute to the great Ronald Reagan

Nearly Every problem this country faces today can be traced back to that asshole

[Zorra]

24. William Bennett: as Secretary of Education. A total oxymoron.

Only a dumbass like Reagan or Bush could appoint a dumbass like Bennett to the post of Secretary of Education.

[Old and In the Way]

15. I couldn't agree more.

"A stupid population is much easier to manipulate than a well educated one." Democracy requires an educated population. A totalitarian society operates best when people are uninformed.

[Maat]

18. See, this is what I think is up.

I have been careful to go over what to do if pulled over at a checkpoint, etc. (4th-, 5th- and 6th-Amendment-related rights, in addition to the 1st Am.).

[Melinda]

29. My son teaches US History at a public High School here in California

He teaches both freshman and junior year students. High School seniors are required to take civics as well. Perhaps it varies in other states, but US history is most definitely part of the curriculum here in California (or at least in this school district). What makes you claim otherwise?

[liberal N proud]

32. It sure doesn't here in Ohio

The only civics my daughter gets is from JSA and what we expose her to which is quite extensive.

[Maat]

33. U.S. History is in the curriculum ...

but there is very little material with respect to the study of the U.S. Constitution and basic governmental structure until 11th grade or so. I wanted my child to be educated in civics far earlier than the 11th grade (or even the 10th grade); so, we went over the material, and still review it on a regular basis.

[Maat]

11. That's because it's not in the curriculum (for the most part).

There was very brief mention in her U.S. History books. I had to put it back in, along with basic geography (also very briefly mentioned in the texts). I've homeschooled Daughter since 4th grade (she's now going into high school). We go through a charter school. Dad and I are non-practicing law school graduates, so we've really emphasized the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the other amendments, the government structure, and the idea of a case decision. This is just my humble opinion.

[YvonneCa]

21. Or, if teachers try to teach it...

...it is 'frowned upon' by administration...especially in Title I schools where the focus is on reading and math only (to make AYP and keep from being closed down or having other sanctions imposed).

[woo me with science]

14. That would require making sure students actually learn things

instead of just having the capacity to look them up. :sarcasm:

[meegbear]

20. Future teabaggers of America

[MindPilot]

23. I'll bet half or more Americans couldn't pass the citizenship test. n/t

[felix_numinous]

35. +1000 Good one!

Here's the questions asked in order to become an American citizen:

http://immigration.findlaw.com/immigration/immigration-citizenship-naturalization/immigration-citizenship-naturalization-test-questions.html?DCMP=KNC-Immigration-Law&HBX_PK=citizenship+test+questions&HBX_OU=50

[Blue_Tires]

25. So the media need to track down the RW assclowns

shredding the school curriculum (and proud to do so)...

Evolution, labor battles, slavery, the indigenous massacres and other unsavory moments of U.S. history...need i go on?

[trayfoot]

26. I have been fussing about this

lack of Civics knowledge for about 20 years! Nothing seems to be important anymore except Math and Science or topics that translate into $$$$$$$ ! We have several generations who know nothing of the founding of their country. They know only about the Constitution what they hear on Faux News, which is usually not correct. We need to start advocating History and Government as much as we do the "moneymaking subjects"!

[plumbob]

28. Lessee, Pretty simple. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to make

sure every American has a gun they can haul around in public, and that no one can have an abortion, ever.

Checks and balances means Fat Tony and the Gang of Five can take checks from any corporation without fear of losing their balance in the bank.

The effect of US foreign policy on other nations is that we fuck their shit up if they give us any trouble of any kind at all.

A power given to Congress is to lick the asses of the Republicans, no matter how unreasonable their shit is.


How'd I do?

[Carolina]

34. I had to laugh

at the thought of checks, balances and Sandra Day O'Connor. She helped stop the 2000 vote counting in Florida, effectively giving the presidency to GWB. Maybe kids don't recognize checks and balances because they no longer seem to exist especially with Corporations and Citizens United...

We not only have a crisis in civics education, Sandy, we have a crisis PERIOD in the civics of this country and your actions are part of that despite whatever website you founded! The damage by Bush Inc and your fellow repukes has come to fruition. Your concern is too little too late, so STFU