Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a ‘Crisis’

[Derechos]

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 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 test, known as the nation’s report card, to 27,000 4th-, 8th- and 12th-grade students last year. Questions covered themes like how government is financed, what rights are protected by the Constitution and how laws are passed.

snip

“We face difficult challenges at home and abroad,” Justice O’Connor said in a statement. “Meanwhile, divisive rhetoric and a culture of sound bites threaten to drown out rational dialogue and debate. We cannot afford to continue to neglect the preparation of future generations for active and informed citizenship.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/education/05civics.html?ref=us

[notesdev]

1. It shouldn't be that hard

The Bill of Rights means that if you can afford the lawyers' bills, you can have some rights. How difficult does that concept that need to be?

[erodriguez]

2. What do you expect?

Schools have been shrinking the curriculum for the past decade, focusing only on basic reading, math skills and test prep.
This is a direct result of No Child Left Behind.

You know what? It is only going to get worst. Obama's education policies doubles down on high stakes testing, to the point that teachers salaries and jobs are increasingly linked to students test scores.

Nevermind, that these types of policies have been proven not to work.

What a terrible shame for our country.

[emulatorloo]

3. Good statement from Justice O'Connor. She is right about divisive rhetoric

drowing out rational dialogue and debate. People who aren't given the opportunity to learn about how the government works and our rights and responsibilities as citizens can become very susceptible to demagoguery.

[erodriguez]

4. +1

Sound just like a book i'm reading, "Animal Farm".

[mountainlion55]

5. Its ironic

that these children don't know civics but if you walk by my local H.S. you see them wearing ROTC uniforms and junior CEO suits. Either one of those occupations requires a disdain for civil rights. :smoke:

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tritsofme]

7. lol, are you serious?

Welcome to DU BTW.

[earthlight101]

8. yes, I am serious

[gkhouston]

9. A crisis? I thought it was an objective. n/t

[QC]

10. Their entire education thus far has consisted of choosing A, B, C, or D,

and we are shocked that they aren't so good at higher thinking?

We are now seeing the fruits of a decade of nonstop testing, and it's not a pretty sight. Most of my students come into their freshman year unable to analyze a simple argument (like a short newspaper editorial) or structure an argument of their own. They are great at Scantron, though. Seriously, you should see the relief in their faces when I throw something multiple-choice at them.

All this is not the fault of my students, of course. They have the skills our NCLB regime has given them.

[salin]

11. was in middle school in the 70s. Never learned a lick of civics

until high school. Studied history (and no poli-sci) in college - and have been an informed voter who understands civics over the ensuing decades. Don't know that measuring at 8th grade what often isn't taught explicitly until high school indicates a full blown crisis.

[FLAprogressive]

12. Hey, but we have to teach children how to do MATH PROBLEMS so we can "keep up!!!"

It's not like they need to know how the world works. The elites can take care of that.