The National Assessment Governing Board released the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) “Civics Report Card” at a press conference May 4 at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The “Nation’s Report Card,” as the NAEP exam often is called, is the only nationally representative, continuing evaluation of the condition of education in the United States and has served as a national yardstick of student achievement since 1969. The data released May 4 provide a snapshot of what students nationwide know—and don’t know—about civics.
The data revealed that only 27 percent of fourth-graders, 22 percent of eighth-graders, and 24 percent of twelfth-graders scored proficient or higher in civics—meaning that millions of young Americans “will be unprepared to be the informed and engaged citizens a healthy democracy requires,” the governing board said.
Scores were even lower for low-income and minority students, with black students scoring, on average, 24 to 30 points lower than their white counterparts.
Students made modest gains in civics in grade 4, but scores for 8th graders were flat, and for high school seniors—those who are about to vote for the first time—achievement has fallen.
On the whole, the data were nearly identical to those of the 1998 and 2006 Civics NAEP exams, demonstrating a lack of progress in civics education for more than a decade.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who last year unveiled free computer games that help teach students about civics, said the results demand the nation’s attention—and a concerted effort to reverse the decline in national civic awareness.
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