Holding colleges accountable

Who do they answer to, besides accrediting bodies and benefactor groups? American universities are not preparing leaders of the future with classical education in Western civilization, much less critical thinking skills, according to this study.

“Is American higher education doing its duty to prepare the next generation to keep America free?” Apparently not, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Public Policy (UConnDPP), in a study commissioned by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute’s (ISI) National Civic Literacy Program.

In a survey of 14,000 freshman and seniors at 50 colleges and universities across the country, every school scored poorly. Also, college seniors, sadly, scored little better than freshman.

It’s more than sad. It’s deplorable, and actionable as in….let’s do something about this sorry situation.

Some shocking or not so shocking analysis is quoted below, directly taken from the American Civic Literacy Website. You can also examine the entire website for a treasure trove of facts, findings, and analysis.

“Students were asked 60 multiple-choice questions to measure their knowledge in four subject areas: America’s history, government, international relations, and market economy. The disappointing results were published in the fall of 2006 in The Coming Crisis in Citizenship: Higher Education’s Failure to Teach America’s History and Institutions.”

The website declares, “This report is not designed to tear down American higher education, but to hold it accountable.”

That’s a good way to begin doing something about it.