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Most U.S. students continue to have a weak grasp of civics, as well as U.S. history and geography, recent national data suggest. Only about one-quarter of 8th graders, for instance, scored “proficient” or higher in civics on the latest exam from NAEP, known as the “nation’s report card.”
Meanwhile, recent high-profile debates over guidelines for a revised AP U.S. history framework signal the ongoing challenge of how to teach that subject. Also, an organization is campaigning to require high school seniors to pass a 100-question citizenship test to ensure students have a clear understanding of civics.
What explains the apparently lackluster understanding of civics, history, and geography by American students? What are the potential solutions? And to what extent is there consensus on what today’s young people need to know to become effective and engaged citizens in our democracy?
EWA will explore these and other related questions at 1:00 p.m. (eastern) on Aug. 27.
Here are some articles by the participants:
- Disappointment in Latest Nation’s Report Card, Esther Cepeda
- Why Are We Teaching Democracy Like a Game Show? Joseph Kahne
- Don’t Know Much About History, Robert Pondiscio
