Shifting Focus in American Education: A Historical Perspective
John and Abigail Adams envisioned an America with schools in every neighborhood, fostering informed citizens skilled in language, literature, music, science, history, and religion. Their pragmatic vision has gradually transformed the educational landscape over time.
The current state of education hasn’t exactly progressed; rather, it has reverted to an earlier framework, shaped by figures like Joseph McCarthy and Joan Baez.
A startling statistic reveals that only around 18% of U.S. universities require history and government studies in their general education programs.
Students, who have typically seen a balanced division between humanities and sciences, faced a significant upheaval with the launch of Sputnik in 1957. This event kickstarted the space race, leading to heightened emphasis on improving science education and ultimately redirecting resources towards STEM fields. Unfortunately, such shifts came at the expense of the humanities, which have been increasingly undervalued and sidelined.
This imbalance has left three generations grappling with historical illiteracy. For instance, many individuals are unaware of the philosophical foundations of the Declaration of Independence or the rights outlined in the Constitution, which teachers ought to impart. This is, perhaps, one of the reasons why many Americans abstain from participating in elections at any level.
Colleges and Their Missed Opportunities
In light of the ongoing civic literacy crisis, it’s alarming that just 18% of institutions still prioritize history and government studies in their curricula. In earlier times, schools like Harvard, Rice, and Notre Dame conducted requirements focused on American history. However, by the 2000s, these elements had largely vanished from their programs.
According to a report from the U.S. Council and Alumni Council of Columbia University:
Students must complete nine courses for a Bachelor’s Degree in History, with specific stipulations on thematic or geographical focus. However, American history isn’t a requisite.
This lack of focus on American history is characteristically reflective of trends across the academic landscape. Even in 2020-2021, 18 of the top 25 public universities omitted broad American history requirements for students pursuing a history degree.
The implications of abandoning studies in American history are worrisome—much of what isn’t learned can lead to the spread of misinformation, which is quite dangerous in a democratic society.
A Crisis in Civic Literacy
In survey results from 2011, an alarming 51% of eighth graders believed government should guarantee all jobs, showcasing a significant disconnect from core democratic principles.
A separate survey from 2015 found that 10% of college graduates mistakenly thought “Judge Judy” was a Supreme Court member. Even more troubling, in 2019, only 12% recognized that the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, while around 30% incorrectly believed there was an amendment guaranteeing women’s voting rights.
More recent surveys of university students revealed dismal awareness levels: fewer than half could identify fundamental American civic principles, and a staggering 68% didn’t realize Congress has the authority to declare war. And to think, these answers were derived from straightforward multiple-choice questions!
The Consequences of Ignoring History
Bruce Cole, who led the National Humanities from 2001 to 2009, pointed out that democracy isn’t a self-sustaining entity; it requires ongoing reflection on history and values to thrive.
Failing to educate future generations for active civic engagement poses a threat to the nation. Educational institutions need to seriously consider these alarming findings and take responsibility for the crisis in civic education—starting with history requirements for majors.
