A new report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress detailing scores on standardized history tests taken by students across the country has generated significant coverage, including a total of over five minutes on all three network news broadcasts. Most coverage laments the failure of many students to know basic facts about US history. ABC World News (6/14, story 5, 1:45, Sawyer) reported that the report highlights a "glaring failure in teaching American children," and reporting that the results are "The test, known as the Nation's Report Card, was given to over 32,000 4th, 8th and 12th graders across America. Only 20% of 4th graders, 17% of 8th graders and just 12% of high school seniors graded proficient in the subject." The piece notes that despite some improvements, "the findings are sobering." The CBS Evening News (6/14, story 11, 0:55, Pelley) added, "More than 7,000 4th graders were tested by the National Assessment Governing Board created by Congress to assess education. One question asked 'America fought against Hitler and Germany in which war?' Nearly three quarters answered something other than the Second World War." Many students also could not identify Abraham Lincoln when shown a photograph.
In the longest of the three broadcasts, NBC Nightly News (6/14, story 6, 2:30, Williams) reported, "While 8th graders improved since the last time the test was given in 2006, less than 20% scored at or above a proficient level. Black and Hispanic 8th graders account for some of the biggest gains, narrowing the achievement gap with white students." The piece details the lack of growth in fourth and twelfth grade, noting that "On average, students spend only two hours a week in class learning about American history. And students spend ten times that amount on reading and math."
Under the headline "Federal Report Shows History Scores Rising Slowly," the Washington Post (6/15, Chandler) reports that average NAEP history scores have "risen slowly since 1994. But the portion of students who fail to reach a basic level of achievement remains larger than the share rated as proficient or advanced, particularly for high school seniors." The Post details the reduction in the achievement gap implied by the scores, noting that some have linked gains to improved reading skills. The tests gauge "history knowledge across the themes of democracy, culture, technology and the changing role of the United States in the world. Scores were compared with the results from 2006, 2001 and 1994, and they were sorted into four achievement levels: advanced, proficient, basic and below basic." The Post notes that some education experts blame NCLB's focus on Math and reading for the low scores.
The AP (6/15, Armario, Turner) reports that only 13% of seniors "showed solid academic performance in American history. The two other grades didn't perform much better, with just 22 percent of fourth-grade students and 18 percent of eighth-graders scoring proficient or better." Subjects included "colonization, the American Revolution and the Civil War, and the contemporary United States." The AP notes that Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement, "The history scores released today show that student performance is still too low. These results tell us that, as a country, we are failing to provide children with a high-quality, well-rounded education." The AP also quotes former ED official and education researcher Diane Ravitch lamenting a lack of focus on "subjects like history, science and the arts." The Washington Times (6/15, Wolfgang) also reports that Duncan "said he was disappointed by the results, the lowest of the seven subject areas tested by NAEP, which also produces national report cards on reading, mathematics, science and other fields."
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