More dismal results from Big Education. This time the news relates to civics education. Only one in four seniors is “proficient” in civics knowledge. Keep in mind, some of them are old enough to vote and the rest will be soon, notes one of the folks quoted in Education Week about the NAEP results. But it gets worse. (emphasis is mine)
As part of the NAEP report, both teachers and students were surveyed to learn more about the extent to which civics instruction is delivered in schools. That instruction, however, didn’t necessarily benefit the students, the data suggest.
At the 8th grade, 85 percent of students reported learning about civics in school, but there was no significant difference in the average scores of those who did or did not report receiving such instruction.
In other words, the instruction kids received made no difference in their understanding of the subject.
Meantime, teachers unions, teachers, and administrators demand more money for this nonperformance. If ever there was an argument for choice, competition, and innovation in education, this is it.
