I bet if you asked all 500 plus congress people to name them, most,
of both parties would get a failing grade. I scored 60 %.

Failed Bill of Rights Test...

There was an interesting segment on FOXNews last night.  40% of people surveyed did not know that the US fought Germany and Japan in WW II.
I also read somewhere that 25% of Americans do not know that the earth revolves around the sun.  Obama's LIVs one supposes.

Quote from: Charliemyboy on February 18, 2014, 08:37:43 AM
There was an interesting segment on FOXNews last night.  40% of people surveyed did not know that the US fought Germany and Japan in WW II.
I also read somewhere that 25% of Americans do not know that the earth revolves around the sun.  Obama's LIVs one supposes.

You're being sarcastic. Everybody knows that WW II was just in the movies. Plus, the earth is at the center of the universe and everything revolves around us.

Quote from: Charliemyboy on February 18, 2014, 08:37:43 AM
There was an interesting segment on FOXNews last night.  40% of people surveyed did not know that the US fought Germany and Japan in WW II.
I also read somewhere that 25% of Americans do not know that the earth revolves around the sun.  Obama's LIVs one supposes.

This is very sad for our country.  My grandchildren are in high school and required to take 2 years of history in order to graduate.  They both say history is boring and just do enough work to get passing grades.  I think the fault lies with educational system.  If we want our students to like history, we need to make changes in how it is taught.  I remember having history class in college and my teacher spoke in a dull monotone voice, which could put you to sleep.  History is one of my favorite subjects, but this man made me dread going to history class.   

Maybe instead of just memorizing dates and places in our history, they need to add some personal stories to make this more interesting.  Anyway nobody in the educational system is going to listen to an old lady.  My daughter is a teacher of math and I know she must follow certain guidelines.   So I suppose it is the same with history teachers. 

Quote from: actionblock on February 18, 2014, 08:44:04 AM
You're being sarcastic. Everybody knows that WW II was just in the movies. Plus, the earth is at the center of the universe and everything revolves around us.

Oh yeah.  Sometimes I forget.

Quote from: Little Nan on February 18, 2014, 08:54:08 AM

This is very sad for our country.  My grandchildren are in high school and required to take 2 years of history in order to graduate.  They both say history is boring and just do enough work to get passing grades.  I think the fault lies with educational system.  If we want our students to like history, we need to make changes in how it is taught.  I remember having history class in college and my teacher spoke in a dull monotone voice, which could put you to sleep.  History is one of my favorite subjects, but this man made me dread going to history class.   

Maybe instead of just memorizing dates and places in our history, they need to add some personal stories to make this more interesting.  Anyway nobody in the educational system is going to listen to an old lady.  My daughter is a teacher of math and I know she must follow certain guidelines.   So I suppose it is the same with history teachers.

But if you ask them if Co2 is an pollutant, they'll give you a unified "YEA".
I was looking over public school curriculum, and found that much more time and emphasis is placed on "Man is killing the environment", than is placed on the basics.

Is it any wonder Americans fail the simplest of tests?

Quote from: Little Nan on February 18, 2014, 08:54:08 AM

This is very sad for our country.  My grandchildren are in high school and required to take 2 years of history in order to graduate.  They both say history is boring and just do enough work to get passing grades.  I think the fault lies with educational system.  If we want our students to like history, we need to make changes in how it is taught.  I remember having history class in college and my teacher spoke in a dull monotone voice, which could put you to sleep.  History is one of my favorite subjects, but this man made me dread going to history class.   

Maybe instead of just memorizing dates and places in our history, they need to add some personal stories to make this more interesting.  Anyway nobody in the educational system is going to listen to an old lady.  My daughter is a teacher of math and I know she must follow certain guidelines.   So I suppose it is the same with history teachers.

"Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." 
---George Santayana

Quote from: Solar on February 18, 2014, 09:15:42 AM
But if you ask them if Co2 is an pollutant, they'll give you a unified "YEA".
I was looking over public school curriculum, and found that much more time and emphasis is placed on "Man is killing the environment", than is placed on the basics.

Is it any wonder Americans fail the simplest of tests?

I know what you mean.  I have heard some school districts in our area have stopped teaching geography altogether.  So it is not important to know where Europe is or Russia or China?   As above, my daughter teaches high school math, but to kids who are discipline problems and have been kicked out of regular school.  She says most of these kids can only do simple arithmetic, only at 3rd or 4th grade levels.  They usually come from very bad homes with drugs and crime.  Yet, she is able to bring them up to speed and they can graduate passing math.  Maybe I am bragging about daughter, but we need more teachers who are dedicated to teaching and really care about their students.  I know what a hard job it is too.  Kids now-a-days have no respect for anybody, so don't ask me how they ever learn anything -- an awesome challenge no matter how you look at it.   

Quote from: Little Nan on February 18, 2014, 09:41:13 AM
I know what you mean.  I have heard some school districts in our area have stopped teaching geography altogether.  So it is not important to know where Europe is or Russia or China?   As above, my daughter teaches high school math, but to kids who are discipline problems and have been kicked out of regular school.  She says most of these kids can only do simple arithmetic, only at 3rd or 4th grade levels.  They usually come from very bad homes with drugs and crime.  Yet, she is able to bring them up to speed and they can graduate passing math.  Maybe I am bragging about daughter, but we need more teachers who are dedicated to teaching and really care about their students.  I know what a hard job it is too.  Kids now-a-days have no respect for anybody, so don't ask me how they ever learn anything -- an awesome challenge no matter how you look at it.   

Technology has made knowing anything not worth knowing.
Math? Math apps can do that for me.
Geography? A GPS app can handle that.
School? Screw that. Gimme an app for what I need to know.

Quote from: actionblock on February 18, 2014, 10:00:09 AM
Technology has made knowing anything not worth knowing.
Math? Math apps can do that for me.
Geography? A GPS app can handle that.
School? Screw that. Gimme an app for what I need to know.

Electrical-magnetic pulse wipes out the Internet? App that!

Quote from: actionblock on February 18, 2014, 08:23:34 AM
I bet if you asked all 500 plus congress people to name them, most,
of both parties would get a failing grade. I scored 60 %.

I....... wow.  Just wow.