The stunning lack of U.S. history knowledge among college students today, as revealed by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), is nothing short of a national embarrassment. Their recent survey, conducted by College Pulse and involving over 3,000 undergraduates, paints a bleak picture: a mere 31% can identify James Madison as the Father of the Constitution, and only 27% know that the Vice President serves as the president of the U.S. Senate.
This isn’t just a minor gap in trivia knowledge; this is a fundamental breakdown in our educational system‘s ability to pass on the torch of civic understanding and historical awareness. How can we expect the future leaders of this great nation to uphold the principles of our Founding Fathers if they don’t even know the basic workings of our government or the key figures in our nation’s history?
Even more disheartening is that only 28% recognize the 13th Amendment as the one that abolished slavery. This isn’t merely an oversight; it’s a profound ignorance of the critical milestones in our fight for civil rights and justice. Such gaps are symptomatic of an education system that has strayed from its mission to educate informed citizens and instead has become obsessed with pushing DEI and woke ideology as the end-all and be-all of higher education.
According to ACTA’s report, the dire results underscore a troubling trend where the essentials of American history and government are being neglected across college campuses. Bradley Jackson, ACTA’s Vice President of Policy, hit the nail on the head: “Our form of government requires citizens who understand its nature and history. It should not be possible to get a bachelor’s degree without learning the basics of American history and government, but this is the norm on our college campuses.”
It’s high time for educational institutions to recalibrate their priorities. Instead of bending over backwards to accommodate every aspect of DEI initiatives, colleges need to reinstate a rigorous focus on the core curriculum that includes a solid foundation in U.S. history and civics. American students should not only be able to recall lines of the Gettysburg Address but understand its significance in the context of American values and democracy.
The erosion of basic U.S. history knowledge is not just a failure of the education system; it’s a threat to the very fabric of our nation. Without a well-informed citizenry, how can we expect to sustain the republic? As we face contemporary challenges and debates, the need for a deep, nuanced understanding of our past and its principles is more crucial than ever. It’s time to demand more from our educational institutions, to ensure they equip students not just for the job market, but for thoughtful, informed, and engaged citizenship.
