Frightening

[DCJenn]

Did you see the news report that a full 26% of the people that were recently interviewed didn't know that the American Revolution was against the British? Seriously- what is the state of the education of this country if the history being taught can even impart that basic knowledge.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38067605...s-new_york,_ny

Jenn

[poky]

That's absolutely pitiful. Have to send that link to my dad, who used to teach US History. I'm sure none of his students are in that 26%.

[SuzySunshine]

I'm always amazed at the amount of US history people don't know - people who have to take the citizenship test know more then most people educated in US schools.

[L.Jane]

That is really really sad.

[GrayMatterWife]

My favorite is people who answer "the Indians...duh!" when asked "Who did the French fight in the French and Indian War?"

But at least I've never heard anyone follow it up with, "Yeah, you know...the people from India."

[ides]

Frightening

Education in this country is poor. In some places it's a lot worse than others. I was in Mississippi when I was a teen & the towns mayor where i stated had never heard of Washington state (where I was from). Sad but less rare than u would think.

[Meenah]

I was in Mississippi when I was a teen

Me too! It really is sad.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Some of my high school students didn't know how to categorize their city (Chicago), county (Cook), state (Illinois), and country (US). Many also did not know that Springfield was the capitol of IL!

The old education saying is that curriculum is becoming a mile wide and an inch deep Thanks, NCLB!

[Vishenka69]

Sadly, education is going downhill in many other countries too. There's a Youtube video taken by a Russian journalism student who decided to quiz random people on the streets of Moscow (similar to Jay Leno bit) and an average Russian is just as stupid as an average American.

Also, citizenship test doesn't require much knowledge of history or gov't. We definitely covered more in high school.

[diggitydot]

As another former Washingtonian transplanted smack into the Midwest farmlands, I'm continually amazed how few people are aware of things outside their local community or even county.

Totally boggles my mind how many people ask if I'm Canadian since I grew up "near Vancouver, WA".
Washington, people. State.

[poky]

As another former Washingtonian transplanted smack into the Midwest farmlands, I'm continually amazed how few people are aware of things outside their local community or even county.

Totally boggles my mind how many people ask if I'm Canadian since I grew up "near Vancouver, WA".
Washington, people. State.

As yet another one, yeah. I had someone ask if Oregon was one of the "four corners" states. And another person ask if Seattle was "out near California".
A friend from New Mexico swears it's not just a story...people have wondered if she's really American.

[diggitydot]

What the...?

Dude, there aren't that many states out west to remember! Yeah, they're a lot larger, but there are FAR fewer.

If it's any consolation, when we lived in AZ I knew someone who truly didn't think New Mexico was paet of the US. Education fail.

[SoonerTexan]

I was in Mississippi when I was a teen

6th-9th grade. Was happy to leave, though the schools in the area we were (suburb of Jackson) could have been worse.

[GrayMatterWife]

A friend from New Mexico swears it's not just a story...people have wondered if she's really American.

One of my co-clerks in my first clerkship out of law school--she was from Hawaii. The clerkship was in Texas. She had people say to her, "So, did you go to law school in Hawaii or in the US?" and "So, how long have you lived in the States?" and so forth. Her dad is a federal judge in Hawaii, for heaven's sake! Yet, she was treated at times as though she was from a foreign country.

[ides]

This is sooo funny! Since I moved away to the east coast I've been told by enough people that I have a Canadian accent. They seem mind boggled when I say that I'm American, not Canadian. I don't think I sound Canadian either.

As another former Washingtonian transplanted smack into the Midwest farmlands, I'm continually amazed how few people are aware of things outside their local community or even county.

Totally boggles my mind how many people ask if I'm Canadian since I grew up "near Vancouver, WA".
Washington, people. State.