Putting the teaching of American history and civics back in the classroom: hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

OCLC Number: (OCoLC)53311565 Subject: Civics -- Study and teaching -- United States. Excerpt: ...the National Book Award twice. He is one of America's best-known authors. Mr. McCullough, I think virtually every day of the letter you recount in the John Adams book that Adams wrote to Jefferson when our country was beginning. He said to Jefferson, ``Aren't we privileged to serve our country in such serious times?' I think about that every day in these serious times, and I am sure most of our colleagues do as well. We welcome Mrs. McCullough here. Thank you both for coming, and we look forward to your comments. Before we begin I have a statement from Senator Murray. [The prepared statements of Senators Alexander and Murray follow:] Prepared Statement of Senator Alexander The hearing today will address the intersection of two urgent concerns that will determine our country's future. These are also the two topics I care about the most: the education of our children and the principles that unite us as Americans. It is time that we put the teaching of American history and civics back in its rightful place in our schools so our children can grow up learning what it means to be an American. Especially when we are asking our young men and women to tight to defend our values. We need to do a better job of teaching just what those values are. Yet, too many of our children do not know what makes America exceptional. National exams show that three-quarters of the nation's 4th, 8th and 12th graders are not proficient in civics knowledge and a third of students do not even have basic knowledge, making, them ``civic illiterates.' Christopher Hitchens, in a 1998 article in Harper's, reported: 59 percent of 4th graders do not know why Pilgrims and Puritans first voyaged to America. 68 percent of 4th graders can't name the first 13 colonies. 90 percent of 8th graders can't recount anything about th...