In 2006 and 2007, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) National Civic Literacy Board conducted studies of college students' civic literacy, i.e., Do our college students understand our history and the fundamental principles of our nation?
The results have been dismal, at best.
This year, the Civic Literacy Board expanded it's study by testing 2,508 adults. The results of this multiple-choice test were truly depressing, with a 71% failure rate and an average score of 49%.
I've said before that I try to keep this blog focused on local issues, which begs the question: Why am I writing about this?
Because the article that brought this study to my attention was titled, "US officials flunk test of American history, economics, civics" and since I fall into that category, I wanted to find out more.
What I learned was that of the 2,508 adults, 164 individuals claimed to have been elected to government office. Of those 164, 74% failed with an average score of 44%. Given that we should be electing the best and brightest to lead us, if this test even remotely reflects the knowledge of our elected "leaders" then this is really depressing.
But it also raises serious questions about what we need to know as citizens and public servants in order to maintain our nation and way of life. If knowledge is power, these results would suggest that too many of us are powerless.
How did I do? My results are in the screen shot above.
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