The just-released U.S. National Assessment of Education Progress for Geography evaluated students in fourth, eighth, and twelfth grave based on their knowledge of geographic concepts and their ability to analyze geographic problems. The scores reveal that students in 4th grade improved slightly, students in 8th grade remained stagnant, and 12th graders declined in their geographic skills and abilities. The study found that 30% of graduating high school students are unable to perform at the basic level. There is great information on the NAEP site (above) along with a great summary of major findings. I won't say that the questions are unchallenging. Here's a sample 12th grade question, " Worldwide, the greatest number of people who emigrate from one country to another today do so because they: a) believe that moving will help them economically, b) believe that moving will give them greater religious freedom, c) like the climate better in their new country, or d) have been expelled from their native countries." One might have thought that investment in geographic education and the AP Human Geography program would have improve scores more dramatically. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go.
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Those students might do well to subscribe to your Newsletter.
Aside from travelling the planet from time to time, I have learnt more about Geography from you and your team, than from any other sources. When I quote you, people agree. Well done, keep it up, and thanks.
If the peformance declined in America with her good and advanced educational system, then you can imagine what the outcome would be if this assessment is conducted in a typical developing country where education is not even a priority for the political leaders!
I do see your reasoning about developing nation where education isnt a priority. However, American geographic education has been declining tremendously recently. I’m going into 11th grade and I love geography, so I used Matt’s book for help wiht the geography bee. A disturbing fact that I found was that about twenty years ago, America scored lowest on a test of geography among many countries. In addition, many Americans still can’t find America on a blank map. However, in other parts of the world such as Asia and Europe, I know that students learn a lot more about geography and may even know more about America than some Americans do
As a former Spanish teacher, I included many geography trivia, test questions and just plain interesting facts that the students found out on their own.
Example, for little extra credit : What type of weather might one expect at the equator in Ecuador?
I really enjoy your site. Keep up yhe good work.