Local TV station did series on edukajion

Post #252,916 by jbrabeck 4/21/06 3:26:08 PM Reply	Local TV station did series on edukajion Asked a group (individually) of foreigners who were 1st 5 US presidents. All answered correctly. Asked US HS students. Most were able to correctly identify Lincoln as the first US president.... A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright)
Post #252,917 by Another Scott 4/21/06 3:46:14 PM 4/21/06 3:46:36 PM Reply	Ok... I'd flunk that little test. I'd get 3/5. How old were the foreigners? How old were the HS students? When is American History taught in HS there? I don't recall having to memorize the US presidents when I was in school (but that was a long time ago). Cheers, Scott. (Who agrees there are problems with US education, but being unable to recall random facts at the drop of a hat doesn't bother me. I know how to look them up. Now, people who can't see logical problems in an argument, well...) Edited by Another Scott April 21, 2006, 03:46:36 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #252,918 by jbrabeck 4/21/06 4:00:39 PM 4/21/06 4:04:40 PM Reply	Same age groups ; HS Jr & Sr. (11 & 12th) While I agree on questioning the value of memorization vs knowing where to look, it did show that there is a learning deficiency. I might not get the first 5 presidents, but I do know that Lincoln was NOT the first president. And Lincoln was named by three of the students that were questioned. Granted, this could have just been sensationalization of the problem for ratings sake, but still... Lincoln as the FIRST president? A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. (Herm Albright) Edited by jbrabeck April 21, 2006, 04:04:40 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #252,919 by Another Scott 4/21/06 4:16:11 PM 4/21/06 4:28:02 PM Reply	Well, he was the first Republican president, so ... ;-) And, actually I would have gotten 5/5, but #4 and #5 would have been guesses. There's also the issue of the groups interviewed. E.g. I'd expect foreign students in the US to do better than the average US HS student; similarly I'd expect US HS students visiting England to do better than the average English HS student on English history. (I may be wrong about that though.) Why? The foreign students likely have more interest in the country they're visiting than someone who grows up there, so they would take the time to learn more about it. Cheers, Scott. Edited by Another Scott April 21, 2006, 04:28:02 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #252,939 by ben_tilly 4/21/06 6:15:35 PM Reply	Not supported by my experience US students in Canada were apathetic about Canadian history. However, that said, in my graduating class every American knew the Canadian national anthem by heart, and very few of the Canadians did. Make of that what you will. Cheers, Ben I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #252,942 by ChrisR 4/21/06 7:40:47 PM Reply	Well, if you're a foreign student... ...it could probably be surmized that you are either very academic or have a rich daddy. Either way, the statistics would be skewed since the foreign student is likely to be more educated and more well-travelled.

Welcome to IWETHEY!