Don't Know Much ...

[saavedra77]

So I took that Civic Literacy Quiz that's been going around.

Reportedly, a random sample of 2,500+ Americans positively bombed this test, managing an average score of 49%. The average for those with a high school diploma was 44%. The average score for those with a bachelor's degree was 57%, still essentially a "failing grade." We can argue about sampling methods (self-selected respondents on the Web are doing a ways better, averaging scores in the seventies). But this is the real killer stat: elected officials actually performed at about the same level as high school graduates, averaging 44%. (I'm tempted to think that Sarah Palin was disproportionately represented ...)

Looking over these questions, I just have trouble ... well ... believing the reported results. I mean, I went to what I considered a so-so public high school in the 1980s, and I think that we covered pretty much all of the material in the quiz's civics and history sections. Moreover, these strike me as the kind of quotes and factoids you see cited more or less constantly in political news stories, TV documentaries, etc.

Most people don't find high school history all that interesting, I'll grant you. And I'm probably the most jonesin' political junkie you're likely to know: My unhealthy NPR and New York Times fixations have no doubt helped keep it all fresh in my head for the past 20 years.

But, seriously, I thought most of us had the basic civics and U.S. history stuff--who can declare war, who controls government spending, oft-quoted phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address--down before we learned how to drive ...?

Then there are those economics questions: I didn't take any economics classes in high school or college. But, you know, there are circumstances where the process of elimination can take you pretty far ...

I scored 96.97 %--literally just getting one question wrong (an economic one, natch)--which I realize now that I misread.

Then again, there has to be some explanation for George W. Bush's enduring popularity in some quarters, to say nothing of the burgeoning Palin fan club, right?

Comments

[mintofthewater.livejournal.com]

I got 69.7%, with the month's average being 78.1%. Eesh. Of course, I screwed up a lot of the economic questions, too.

[morganminstrel.livejournal.com]

81.2% here; I missed some of the econ questions and couldn't remember if Washington's Farewell Address included the "wall between Church and State" line. It doesn't, of course, and I'm kicking myself. (Of course, the fact that it's 12:15 AM is a convenient excuse too!)

Yes, high school history and civics is incredibly boring, which is a significant problem. (Not the only one...) My love of history was in spite of public school, not because of it. I have no doubt that boredom in high school is a big factor in people's apparent ignorance. Although, like you, I'm not so sure I buy the results in that report. "Never underestimate the ignorance of the American people?"

[cakeface.livejournal.com]

84.85%! About equivalent to the B+ I always got in Civics and/or Politics. The economic stuff I've NEVER had, and the philosophy stuff too, so that's what I missed, although in looking at the real answers, it all makes good sense. Thanks! I have learned things now!

[schmallturm.livejournal.com]

You went to a (somewhat) selective college which puts you in the top 10-20% or so. You grew up speaking English which is another huge advantage. And you read and are intellectually curious.

We tend to associate with people who are like us, so personal impressions and the people we know don't give us a good idea what the whole country is like.

I got 96.97% and I voted for W. and McCain, so you can bite me. :-)

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Consider yourself bitten. ;)

[crookedheart.livejournal.com]

I scored 78.79%

not too bad, I guess.

at least I have the excuse that I'm not American.

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

I'd say that's pretty impressive, since the test centers on knowledge of the politics & history of a neighboring country. Can you imagine how badly most Americans would bomb a comparable test about Canada? Most wouldn't know Stephan from Celine Dion.

[crookedheart.livejournal.com]

THAT is a frightening visual... or should I say audial or aural I guess...?

[crookedheart.livejournal.com]

also, I just noticed the title of this entry and omg. EARWORM!