Our view: National history test results are poor
It is alarming when we hear that American students are not well-versed in American history. The story of how our country came to be is an important one because "if you don't know your history, you are bound to repeat it."
It is alarming when we hear that American students are not well-versed in American history. The story of how our country came to be is an important one because "if you don't know your history, you are bound to repeat it."
That often-repeated quote has merit when we talk about the lack of knowledge of American history by U.S. students today.
The Nation's Report Card, which details the results of the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress, shows on the history portion that only 13 percent of high school seniors were proficient and only 20 percent of U.S. fourth-graders and 17 percent of eighth-graders were proficient or advanced. Being proficient means, in testing language, "solid understanding" of questions on the test.
The worst part of this is that according to NAEP, the results are unchanged from the last time students in those grade levels were tested in 2006. Across the nation, NAEP tested in 2010, a representative sampling of students in public and private schools, 7,000 fourth-graders, 11,800 eighth-graders and 12,400 high school seniors.
While it was not clear Wednesday if any St. Johns County students were tested, NAEP strives to test students nationwide to come up with its national report card.
We asked Ted Banton, St. Johns County's program specialist for advanced academics and social studies programs, to relate his views on the low scores on the NAEP history tests. Banton also is president of Florida's Social Studies Supervisors Association and on the Board of the Florida Council for Social Studies.
"It's sad," he said, explaining that social studies courses teach students responsibility and citizenship. In the history courses they learn how the nation began, the influence of various cultures and other nations on America's government, and culture through to present day. That's important as today's youth will be tomorrow leaders.
We believe it is sad, too, for any student to not know their American history, whether they are going to be a teacher, a historian or a politician. How can they appreciate the nation's past without knowing about it through classroom learning?
We are encouraged that our students in St. Johns County are versed on Florida history with a special course in fourth grade and a special section of the middle school U.S. history course.
Starting in 2012 in Florida, a high school end-of-course exam in U.S. history will count for 30 percent of the course grade.
We also are encouraged that Florida is becoming a national leader to ensure students have a strong base in history, which will give them a stronger sense of place as adults.
R
No comments:
Post a Comment