If you're at a federally funded school, you should be spending today learning about the document that was signed 220 years ago, of course. But, according to a study by the Knight Foundation, only 10 percent of high school students could remember how their schools marked the occasion last year. And 51 percent had never heard of it.
In case you haven't either, here's what The Associated Press story says about it:
Constitution Day was created by Congress in 2004. It was the brainchild of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. The law requires any school and college receiving federal money to teach about the Constitution on or about Sept. 17. Schools can determine the kind of educational program, but they must hold one each year.
Eric Newton, vice president of the foundation's journalism program, said
he worries that an entire generation may lack a solid understanding of
the document that governs America's democracy.
"We're concerned that teaching to the test and the emphasis on math and
science is hurting the American civics education," Newton said.
Recent national tests show that more students are learning the basics
when it comes to history and civics, but are not rising beyond a modest
competency in either subject.
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