Ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to U.S. history
By GEORGE NETHERCUTT JR.
Special to The Press
A recent editorial in The Press rightly congratulated the young students competing at North Idaho College in the seventh annual North Idaho Regional Spelling Bee for their courage, preparation and dedication to learning about words — and how to spell them. It’s a discipline too often discounted in American education, where intent is a poor substitute for proficiency in communication and grammar.
As some schools de-emphasize the importance of correct spelling, numerous studies show that American history and traditional “civics” have suffered decades of de-emphasis in public schools and universities across America. It’s a problem that needs urgent attention.
From 2006-2009, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute tested thousands of college students, graduates and non-college adults on basic questions covering American history, economics, foreign policy and historical leaders in U.S. history. Their findings: almost all college students flunked the test and all adults failed even the most basic questions about American government and history. Public officials did even worse than the average adult taking the test. The Pew Center recently tested more than 5,000 adults who declared themselves regular “readers” on three basic questions covering which political party controls Congress, the name of the U.S. Secretary of State and the name of England’s Prime Minister. Only 18 percent answered all three questions correctly. Put another way — 82 percent didn’t.
Why do these results matter? Because the issues facing our country have profound consequences to all Americans, regardless of their social status, income levels, race, religion or education. Uninformed citizens are captive to those who make government decisions affecting our lives, whether in Coeur d’Alene, Boise or Washington, D.C.
That’s why I’ve started a nonprofit, non-partisan, charitable Foundation (see www.nethercuttfoundation.org) to help college students receive a better civics education by their concentrated study of our nation’s founding documents and history, their travel to Washington, D.C., to meet important leaders, and their return home to dedicate 60 hours of their time helping others. The Fellowship we offer is uniquely crafted to allow college students the opportunity to immerse themselves in understanding how our federal government works, and to prepare them for future service as principled leaders. Our program would welcome the application of Idaho college students to this life-changing opportunity.
George Nethercutt Jr., represented Washington’s 5th District in Congress from 1995-2004.
Booking signing
Mr. Nethercutt will sign copies of his new book, “In Tune with America: Our History in Song,” at the Coeur d’Alene Press on Friday, April 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Press is located at 201 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Proceeds from the book go to Mr. Nethercutt’s nonprofit foundation.