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http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/05/02/geog.test/index.html

I just saw that story on the news a few minutes ago, and was coming here to post about it.  ;D

That is a very scary story.

I really don't think that this matters.

Being able to find Iraq on a map is not equivalant to understanding what's going on there.  (Not that kids understand what's going on there either.)   ...but memorizing its physical geographic location seems like a poor test.

Besides, every generation thinks that we're doomed for failure becuase the next one is a bunch of dipshits.

I can agree Dave, but they should at least be able to identify states within this country. What if they wanted to drive outside their normal "world"?

No doubt.  Learning geography is important and everything.  I just don't think not knowing that kind of stuff is crucial to their world yet, so it's not a priority.

Funny thing regarding me - I changed schools from 5th to 6th grade, where the curriculums were backwards.  I was never formally taught basic American history or Georgraphy.  I had to go learn both on my own later on.  My US State geography is still spotty at best, and I don't know my state capitals very well.

But, I even think back to middle school during the Gulf War.  I sure as hell couldn't find Kuwait on a map, but I knew what was going on there, and why.

This is true.

Here's what's messed up.  At FSU, all freshmen had to take PSC 1515 which is a college level general science course.  The professor stated that this was a COLLEGE course for COLLEGE credit and that prior knowledge was expected.  One of his examples was a geography requirement.  We were expected to know all the U.S. States and the rivers and bodies of water in the U.S.  That's tough for some people.  What I found disheartening was that FORTY PERCENT of my classmates could not locate Florida on the map. 

I wouldn't be that harsh, but let me ask you this.  If a kid can't add numbers, punctuate a sentence, or locate his home state on a map, then HOW THE HELL DID HE GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA???

I was exactly opposite.  I went to a DoD school overseas.  Since the students were from several different states, they didn't teach any state history.  Instead, we were taught U.S. history over and over again.  I think I had 4 years of U.S. histroy from K-12.

He met the number one graduation requirement.  He showed up.  As long as he shows up semi-regularly the school can include him in the headcount and receive federal funding for him....and everyone is happy.

My Geography skills are actually quite impressive.  I'm very good with state and country capitals

Maybe we could open a geography section so you could have a place to shine?  :P

I've always been pretty good with geography.  My parents insisted on it.  In my opinion, a lot of this has to do with the parents.

Mine took the time to make sure I was actually learning and thriving in school and let it be known that me being a dumbass wouldn't be tolerated. 

I hated it then, but I'm thankful for it now.

And that's why this country is doomed.  Kids aren't learning because teachers aren't teaching.  A lot of high schools are considered "Run of the mill".  They just mark you real easy.  Four years, and out.  Then they hand out high school diplomas like they were toilet paper. 

 ;D

Gotta disagree with you here.  Students don't learn because they go home and watch 4 hours of TV and spend another 3 in front of a game console.  Education in this country is slipping because individual parents don't do their jobs: parenting.  So many parents want to be their kids' buddies, instead of their parents.

Yeah, the kids are eager and willing to work and it's the teachers who are slacking.   ::)

Bumping an old thread.....but just in case you were wondering if Americans have made any progress in world geography....the answer is no.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/20/tech/czech-republic-chechnya/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

^^^^

Holy gravedigging Batman

My comment to that article...

"As someone who has lived in 7 countries overseas, let me clear things up for the unwashed masses sitting in their mom's basement in the USA and on Grandma's porch in Azerbaijan... There are idiots in EVERY COUNTRY!  The further away the subject matter is, the less that people know about it. Boo-hoo, Czech Republic...some idiots in the deep south think you and Chechnya are one in the same. I met a guy in Czechoslovakia (back when it was still Czechoslovakia) who thought that all Americans rode horses and packed Colt .45s on their hips. I met a guy in Berlin who saw a bootleg Disneyland commercial and was convinced that America had 6-foot tall mice running around. Idiocy and ignorance are global epidemics, not "Made in the USA.""

Did you really bump a thread from 7 years ago? Were you even a member here 7 years ago?

What year was this site founded?