The 2006 National Geographic-Roper Survey of Geographic Literacy published statistics regarding U.S. citizens ages 18 to 24. According to the report, half of Americans cannot locate New York on a map.
The report also states only 37 percent of Americans could find Iraq on a map, despite American troops having been stationed there since 2003.
Out of 34 countries, the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math.
Shouldn’t this be enough to scare most Americans? How many people laugh at Jay Leno when he goes “Jay-walking” and people cannot name the vice-president of the United States or some current event. When American Idol gets more viewers than some national news priority, what can we expect? Americans are so used to having that the thought of not having, of not being number one, does not enter their realm of possibilities. People are complacent – they don’t vote. Politicians are guided by lobbyists. Morals don’t count. The environment is not protected. Bring up global warming and all you’ll get is an attack on Al Gore and no discussion of the problems. People won’t wake up and pay attention until they don’t have something they want.
This is very scary! I plan to start teaching my students current events daily in my classroom. I think I will choose an article each day to share with my students. Thanks for your post!
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