We are Failing in Social Studies

American students and their parents are bombarded with information from television, the Internet, and other media. Not all of what is published or spoken is true. Politicians speak to the simple levels of our learning because we don't understand the complexities of government.

Rating Student Knowledge of Social Studies

While the National Council for Social Studies has established high standards defining effective citizenship, tests of social studies knowledge have yielded discouraging results. A report released by the Educational Testing Service in May 2012 listed three areas of concern linking poor knowledge of civics to “voting and civic engagement.” The principal concerns were:

In the most recent national assessment, only about one-quarter reached the "proficient" level, demonstrating solid academic performance.

Only 27% of fourth-graders could identify the purpose of the U.S. Constitution.
Only 22% of eighth-graders could recognize a role played by the U.S. Supreme Court.

For three successive years, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute — ISI — surveyed college students to determine the effect of college educations on civic knowledge using a sixty-question multiple-choice test of America’s history and institutions. The results are summarized below:

Freshman average in 2006 = 51.7%; freshman average in 2007 = 50.4%
Senior average in 2006 = 53.2%; senior average in 2007 = 54.2 %.

A 2009 survey conducted by the American Revolution Center revealed, among other things, "that 83% of Americans failed a basic test on the American Revolution."

The ISI was also concerned "that College-educated adults were particularly ignorant of the Founding and Civil War eras, constitutional themes, and the essential features of a market economy."

The National Assessment of Educational Progress offers sample questions that were missed by approximately 50% of 12 graders on a recent assessment. One example in economics is given below:

Which of the following is a policy tool of the Federal Reserve?

A. Raising or lowering income taxes

B . Increasing or decreasing unemployment benefits

C. Buying or selling government securities

D. Increasing or decreasing government spending

Take the five-question test at the Nation's Report site to find the answer.

Ignorance of Social Studies Is Not a Laughing Matter

Jay Leno fans are familiar with a popular segment on his show called “Jay Walking.” The segments feature Leno on the street asking people at random questions a high school graduate would be “expected” to know. Certainly the clips are edited and the people interviewed are not a representative sample. Still, the apparent ease with which poorly informed citizens are found is disturbing.

The “Jay Walking” idea has led to student projects using the same format to demonstrate and alarming lack of basic knowledge in civics.

Before laughing too hard, one might wish to take the Civic Literacy Exam offered by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. A sample of over 2,500 Americans scores an average of 49% correct. Surprisingly, college educators scored only slightly better — 55%.

We Just Don't Seem to Like Social Studies

The facts of social studies — i.e. dates, statistics, etc. — are not generally essential to proficient knowledge of the various fields. An understanding of how governments function, the role of economics, comprehension of cultural differences, how geography relates to progress, the lessons of history, and many other broad issues enable citizens to process the events of global events.

The correct interpretation of political behavior is essential to making decisions for electing qualified officials. There is an enormous competition in the various media for divergent ideologies. Citizens who cannot assess the claims and counter-claims of candidates may be setting themselves up to be victims of their ignorance.

Position statements of the National Council for Social Studies offer numerous good points for teachers to offer to students and parents. Teachers are at the forefront of advocacy for better resources in social studies education.

Various indicators provide an unsettling profile of social studies knowledge of American students and citizens generally. Surveys and tests show that deficits in knowledge of government, economy, etc. are not limited to the uneducated. In a world that is increasingly international in scope, a citizenry composed of an educated electorate is essential.