Losing Our History

America is uniquely premised on Thomas Jefferson’s conception of an educated citizenry. Yet, it appears as if America’s most educated youth, the future leaders of this nation, are experiencing a type of “…collective amnesia—and a profound historical illiteracy which bodes ill for the future republic” according to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA).

The ACTA recently commissioned a study by the Roper organization—The Center for Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut—to survey seniors at the top 55 colleges in the United States to find out how much these students know about American History. Questions asked were drawn from a basic high school curriculum.

Most students—four out of five—flunked this multiple choice history quiz. Among those questions missed most often were:

1. What does the term “Reconstruction” refer to? (only 29% answered correctly that “Reconstruction” referred to the readmission of the Confederate states and the protection of the rights of black citizens)

2. What did the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln state? (only 26% answered correctly that the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in areas of the Confederate states not held by the union)

3. Who was the American general at Yorktown (only 34% answered correctly George Washington)

4. What case did John Marshall write the decision for? (only 33% answered correctly with Marbury vs. Madison)

5. Who was the “Father of the Constitution”? (only 23% answered correctly with James Madison)

6. What was the source of the following phrase: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”? (only 22% answered Gettysburg Address)

7. Who was the President at the beginning of the Korean War? (only 35% answered Harry Truman)

8. What social legislation passed under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society Program? (only 30% answered correctly with The Voting Rights Act)

Although many students could not answer these historical questions, they could answer pop culture questions remarkably well. 99% of students could identify Beavis and Butthead as television cartoon characters and 98% could identify Snoop Doggy Dog as a rap singer. These findings should not come as a surprise, according to the ACTA. This is because 100% of students graduating from top colleges are not forced to take a course in American history and 78% do not have to take a history course at all.

The ACTA claims that the real problem with the failure of these schools to teach history is that, “[these institutions] educate almost two thirds of our citizens, including all our school teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, and public leaders. They set the admissions and curricular requirements that signal to students, teachers, parents, and the public what every educated citizen in a democracy must know.” In this way, the decisions made at these universities also directly affect K-12 education policy and practice.

The ACTA notes the irony that during this coming President’s Day, many college seniors will not be familiar with the very people being celebrated. It notes, “The time is ripe for citizens, parents, families, and policymakers to demand a renewed exploration and examination of our history.”

Rosemarie Capozzi is an intern at Accuracy in Academia.