civic literacy report 08-09

8/14/2019 Civic Literacy Report 08-09

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Aicas Fail

a Basic Tst o

Thi Histo a

Istittios

Itcolliat Stis IstittAica Ciic Litac Poa

Our FAdIng HerITAge


2/32

Americs Report Card

Grade Number surveyed PerceNt surveyed

A(90 100%) 21 0.8%

B(80 89.9%) 66 2.6

C(70 79.9%) 185 7.4

D(60 69.9%) 445 17.8

(59.9% n w) 1,791 71.4

t 2,508 100.0F

In spring 2008, a random sample o Americans took a straightorward test designed to assess eachrespondents knowledge o Americas ounding principles and texts, core history, and enduring institu-tionsISIs defnition o civic literacy. As detailed below, over 70% o Americans ailed this basic testo the kind o knowledge required or inormed and responsible citizenship.


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a rePo rt by the

INtercolleGIate studIes INstItutesNatIoNal cIvIc lIteracy board

November 20, 2008

t. KeNNeth crIbb Jr.

Pin, IsI

INtercolleGIate studIes INstItute, INc.3901 cni r P.o. b 4431

Wiingn, de 19807-0431(302) 652-4600

www.aicaciiclitac.o

Aicas Fail a Basic Tst o Thi

Histo a Istittios

Our FAdIng HerITAge


4/32

2 ou r Fad IN G he rI taG e: ain Fi bi t n ti hi n Iniin

InTrOduCTIOn

heN thomas JeFFersoN w 75 , d mn in The Sage

o Monticello, n n jin i in J min in iing p rk Gp in b rig mnin.

t w pin w n iging.t w ning ing iin -ni Jn pn pi nii in vigini.

t g niin w -n, gi, n jg n w pi pp-i n inii ppin pn.

t i w pn pinipn gnn; w wi g in nin, niip wn gnn; n n pii gi-in, wi niing i n nnin n inii in,

w n i q ig n.a w ni , w qin in

i pp ain i n n Jn : w -ing in p n i in

w p n ?ti p Ingi si In-

i (IsI)Our Fading Heritage: Americans Fail aBasic Test on Their History and Institutionspnin, n ini n nin, ain ig in i ing Jn i.

t p i pin: ain i iiiw knw ai in iniin.

mn ain wi g nnnw i qin nini n ning n. mn nn n n gnn j gn bi rig.

Our Fading Heritage i i iii pi IsI. a nin ain ii in n ip ignin. t w i i n g n; Our Fading Heritagepn in ain, g- n. W -w nqn- g g n ing knwg -qi in iinip? r i p n wi gin n .

In 2006, IsIin njnin wi unii cnni dpn Pi Pin- ini ii ningng ain g n. appi

14,000 n n ni 50 nin-wi w gin 60-qin ip-i n i knwg ai i n ini-in. t , pi in The Coming Cri-sis in Citizenship: Higher Educations Failure to Teach

Americas History and Institutions, ng n . tg g n i ii i

wi 51.7%. t g ni i wi 53.2%.

In 2007, IsI n gin ppi14,000 n n ni 50 g ninwi.

t i n , Failing Our Students,Failing America: Holding Colleges Accountable or Teach-

I a nation expects to be ignorant

and ree... it expects what never was

and never will be.

Thomas Jeerson

W


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www.iniii.g 3

ing Americas History and Institutions, - . t g ng n in i n ing w51.4%; g ng ni, 54.2%.F g , n ginn n png pin n iii .

sn i p n i . h ni, w i ,n n g n 69.56%, d+.

t i ignin nin n w IsI p. hn nw i, -ni, n ii i . y p ii ii in.

In 2008, IsI n i in i i n gg inpnn ip g n ii knw-g i g. In njnin wi d. Kn-n di unii cnni n

wi bn r, In., IsI ini i33-qin ii i n p 2,508 ain , nging wi

ig ip wi n g.Qin w wn p IsI , w nin gni u.s.gnn iinip n Nin a-n ein Pg (NaeP) . r-pnn w k qin ging i nggn in iii n ni ii i.

t g ain w k iigw ii i i 49%, n F.

t i ii i

ip ng pn in , iip i n innin, pi-

in ig n ain ig in. t g -g ipin i 57%, n n ai-n w n g n n n g 65%.

t pp i n IsI aincii li Pg i n ipg ainig in, i n n ng ini n i ni pi .

Wn iin rk Gp in1818, i n n j nn-in w w nii n

w i iin . t nni p- Jn pn ing n iniin igning w p ii .

an wing ji i p g wi Jn, ing iig in pp iin ing n nin i n in-iin.

In ig i, qin n -in , ini, , n,p, n i i w i w g

i i n n pn wi pp g in.

sin,

t. Knn ci J. l. Gn Ji bning IIIPin, Ingi si Ini cin, Nin cii li b

2006 ISI Report 2007 ISI Rep


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a lk bk IsI 2007 cg rnkingNeGatIve cIvIc learNI NG at amerIcas toPuNIversItIes

cg rnk Fn sni v v a+ mn mn a

1. en cnn. s uni.* 31.34% 40.99% +9.65%

2. min cg (WI)* 33.66 43.10 9.44

3. m s uni. (Ky)* 40.63 49.75 9.12

4. cni unii (Ne)* 46.29 55.28 8.99

5. s. c s uni. (mN)* 35.67 44.26 8.59

6. miiippi s unii* 42.50 50.86 8.36

7. Pi unii (Nc)* 36.05 44.30 8.25

8. Iini s unii* 42.74 50.93 8.19

9. Iw s unii* 45.03 52.69 7.66

10. unii miiippi 41.87 49.32 7.45

11. si cg (ma) 52.63 60.07 7.44

12. r cg (tN) 53.76 61.18 7.42

13. unii mnn* 45.54 52.16 6.62

14. I s unii* 41.76 48.15 6.39

15. unii Winin 51.57 57.87 6.30

16. uni. sn min* 37.48 43.58 6.10

17. h unii 63.59 69.56 5.97

18. unii N d 55.66 61.25 5.59

19. m. vnn Nn (oh)* 40.04 44.60 4.56

20. Wingn & l unii 62.46 66.98 4.52

21. cin cg (mI) 51.99 56.45 4.46

22. unii Fi 48.96 53.40 4.44

23. unii N cin 53.26 57.68 4.42

24. uni. minn.twin cii* 49.18 53.50 4.32

25. unii miign 46.68 51.00 4.32

cg rnk Fn sni v v a+ mn mn a

last year, ISI issued its second annual report to the nation examining exclusively the civic knowledge o col-lege undergraduates. The reports fndings were based upon the results o a civic literacy test given to approximately7,000 college reshmen and 7,000 college seniors at 50 randomly selected colleges. The test consisted o 60 multiple-choice questions about Americas history, political thought, oreign relations, and market economy and was designedto assessalong with the 2006 surveythe amount o civic learning actually occurring in college classrooms. Inneither year did the average senior at any college score better than a D+, and even more disturbing, seniors didworse than reshmen at some o Americas most prestigious universitiesPrinceton, Duke, Yale, and Cornella

phenomenon dubbed negative learning.

26. unii Wingn 51.63% 55.88% +4.25%

27. Gng unii (Wa) 47.71 51.86 4.15

28. unii r (Ny)* 55.69 59.32 3.63

29. G ci cg (Pa) 63.64 67.26 3.62

30. Ggi cg & s u.* 40.28 43.68 3.40

31. bwin cg (me) 59.50 62.86 3.36

32. unii Ggi* 54.48 57.76 3.28

33. cngi mn unii* 54.06 56.90 2.84

34. s. t unii (Fl)* 29.75 32.50 2.75

35. t s uni.sn m* 41.25 43.99 2.74

36. t a&m In. uni.* 38.43 41.14 2.71

37. Gg mn uni. (va) 47.28 49.96 2.68

38. unii vigini 62.95 65.28 2.33

39. bwn unii 63.42 65.64 2.22

40. Wn cg (Il) 62.87 64.98 2.11

41. unii Pnnni 62.66 63.49 0.83

42. uni. m.a* 46.10 46.66 0.56

43. okw cg (al)* 35.17 34.69 -0.48

44. uni. c.bk 57.03 56.27 -0.76

45. rg unii* 50.93 49.99 -0.94

46. Pinn unii 63.60 61.90 -1.70

47. s. Jn unii (Ny)* 41.69 39.82 -1.87

48. dk unii 65.66 63.41 -2.25

49. y unii 68.94 65.85 -3.09

50. cn unii 61.90 56.95 -4.95

+ Value added equals the reshman mean score subtracted rom the senior mean score * Randomly selected school


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COnTenTS

executIve summary 6

maJor FINdINGs

ain Fi t cii li 9

ain ag: cg s t ai hig 11

cg a li cii Knwg 12

tiinIning tv Nwd ai dwn 14

W cg G dn Knw a ai 16

addItIoNal FINdING

e oi s lw n Gn Pi 19

coNclusIoN 20

survey develoPmeNt aNd methodoloGy 23

2008 amerIcaN cIvIc lIteracy test 24

Aicas Fail a Basic Tst o ThiHisto a Istittios

Our FAdIng HerITAge


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exeCuTIve SummAry

ur FadING herItaGe:Americans Fail aBasic Test on Their History and Institutions i i j n IsI n kin knwg qi in iinip. In 2006n 2007, IsI pi ini - ii ning ng g n. e, ppi 14,000 n n ni 50 ninwi w gin 60-qin, -ip-i n i knwg aiig. b , n i. t gn 51.7% n 51.4% n. t g ni 53.2%, n 54.2%.

a i, , n n pn n g,n g n in nning nn ain -gnn.

ti , IsI g n -w nqn i gi i. IsI inpnn ip gn qiiin n innn ii i ii. Fi, n p 2,508 ai-n kgn w , wingpin wn g n nn-g . t w k 33 igw

ii qin, n wi ig gn nw iin p knw. rpnn

w k qin nning i p-iipin in ain ii i, i i pnni i ain gnn, n i n ni ii i-. Fin, w n g iigin ni, wing IsI p ii

Oip g wi i .d ain p knwg n piip wi in i nin? rw n .

maJor FINdINGsFinding 1:

Americans Fail the Test o Civic Literacy

sn-n pn ain i , win g 49%.

Liberals score 49%; conservatives score48%. rpin 52%; d 45%.

Fewer than half of all Americans can name n gnn, ini- qin nning ai- niin .

Finding 2:Americans Agree:Colleges Should Teach Americas Heritage

ain in ii n i, nn g p nn. a g j-i g g pp iin ing ai i, k , n iniin.

Seventy-three percent in the West, 69% in miw, 74% in N, n74% in s g.

Seventy-four percent of conservatives agree, 71% i.

Seventy-two percent with a high school diplo- n 74% wi g g g.

The civic knowledge gained rom

engaging in requent conversations about

public aairs, reading about current events

and history, and participating in more

involved civic activities is greater than the

gain rom a bachelors degree alone.


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www.iniii.g 7

Finding 3:College Adds Little to Civic Knowledgeening g g i in knw-g ai i, k , n iniin.t g ng w n i - in wi g i 57%, nF. t i n 13 png pin ig n g ng w n i in wi ig ip.

Only 24% of college graduates know theFi ann pii iing ni igin uni s.

Finding 4:TelevisionIncluding TV NewsDumbs America

Down

IsI in w ii i n w p wi i-p g. t in -ngi g, ining q, pn p in ppin i pning in p pi ni i. tking

n pn, wing wn n i, nniing tv nw n niiini pnn ii i.

In n ngi infn, iiknwg gin inpni inin ngging in qn nin pi i,ing n n n i, n pii-ping in in ii iii i g n gin n pni g n.

Finding 5:

What College Graduates Dont Know About Americab i n ain n g,i i ig nik wi in ning n cii W , niin pinip, n k ni.P-g in n in knwg wni-n ain i pn ni n p-wni-n n nin -qn pii i. cg gin

i n, n ng ignin gp in i gi ii knwg.

Only 54% can correctly identify a basicipin npi , in

wi ain piip.

AdditionAl Finding:Elected Ofcials Score Lower than the General Public

o pi ii knwg n gn pi. on g, 44%, png pin w n nn-.

Thirty percent of elected ofcials do notknw i, i, n pi ppin inin ig in din Inpnn.

ConClusion:A Ca Refrm

IsI n ini, , n, ,pn, n i i nn nii g n

pp i g pniiii in- iinip.

Do colleges require courses in Americani, pii, ni, n ?

Do colleges assess the civic or overall learn-ing i g?

Do elected ofcials link college appropria-in ii ning?

Do parents make college selection choices pn i p-n?

Ater all the time, eort, and money

spent on college, students emerge no better

o in understanding the undamental

eatures o American sel-government.


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the averaGe NatIoNWIde GradeoN the cIvIc lIteracy test Is aN F

amerIcaNs nationwide ail the civic literacy test, scoring an average o 49%, or an F. Thistable shows the average score achieved by various groups.

Score byPArenTAL STATuS

h n i 48%

h n in 50

Score byInCOme

l n $30,000 40

$30,000 $50,000 46$50,000 $75,000 51

$75,000 $100,000 55

$100,000+ 55

Score byPArTy IdenTIFICATIOn

d 45

rpin 52

Inpnn 52

o 46

Score byPOLITICAL IdeOLOgy

li 49

m 51

cni 48

Score bymILITAry ServICe

ai 51

N 48

Score byCHurCH ATTendAnCe

m n n wk 48

on wk 48

on wi n 49

s 51

N 50

OverallAverAge

mn 49%

Score byAge

18 24 47

25 34 46

35 44 4945 64 52

65+ 46

Score bygender

m 52

F 45

Score byrACe/eTHnICITy

Wi 51bk 40

hipni 38

ain 42

mii 49

o 42

Score bymArITAL STATuS

mi 51

sing 48

di p 47

Almost 40% o Americans

alsely believe the president has

the power to declare war.


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www.iniii.g 9

FIndIng 1

Americans Fail the Test o Civic Literacy

F there Is aNypini p p p in pp , i i

Gg a, ing i in . t i, w, linn w nw w.

o 2,508 ain king IsI ii i, 71% i. Ninwi, g n i n 49%. t ji nn gni

ngg linn p.t , pin n pg 24 27 ip, nin 33 qin ign knwg ai ning pinip, piii, innin in, n k n.twn-n qin ip i; i -in--nk.

Wi qin in i, i knwg. si w u.s. gn-n niin knwg -p nw ain iin. Nin kn Nin an ein Pg-

u.s. dpn ein ig ni. t wn n ain hi 101 p nin

www.InP.. tw w p pi i n w wn IsI p-i ii i .

t ain ingnin cniin, i n-in gnn, k nini, n ni pinip.

Less than half can name all three branches gnn.

Only 21% know that the phrase govern-n pp, pp, pp linn Gg

a. Although Congress has voted twice in the

ig approveign w, n53% knw pw declarew

ng cng. a 40% in- i i ng pin.

Only 55% know that Congress shares au-i u.s. ign pi wi pin. a q in -i cng i pw wi uni Nin.

Only 27% know the Bill of Rights express- pii iing n i igin

uni s. Less than one in ve know that the phrase w pin wn n t J-n. a in i i n n in cniin.

ain g gp, in k,n pii igi i ii i.

Americans age 25 to 34 score an average of46% n ; ain g 65 n 46%.

Americans earning an annual income be-wn $30,000 n $50,000 n -g 46%; ain ning $100,000 55%.

Liberals score an average of 49%; conserva-i 48%.

Americans who go to church once a week n g 48%; ain wn g 50%.

Wip ignn nin in iniin i wi ign nin. a w , ain niin Fning F ii -in i ipnn ig in i ni-in. rpnn w in p i in iii, w, ik n

w p n piip in iii i nii n n.

I


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a NatIoNal c oNseNsus oN cIvIc lI teracyWhile Americans have sharply disagreed on many signifcant issues o public policy in recent years, they maintaina broad national consensus on the importance o civic literacy. Large majorities in all regions o the country and indiverse demographic groups agree that colleges should prepare citizen leaders by teaching students about Americas

history, key texts, and institutions.

coNseNsus by educatIoN, aGe, race/ethNIcIty, GeNder, aNd IdeoloGy

educatIoN level aGe< hig hig cg G.s s G. dg 18 24 25 34 35 44 45 64 65+

sng g 49% 50% 48% 49% 40% 49% 52% 48% 57%

ag 20 21 26 25 27 23 23 22 18

N 16 18 18 18 23 19 17 20 13

dig 5 4 4 4 4 4 6 3 5sng ig 7 5 4 4 4 4 3 6 6

race/ethNIcIty GeNder PolItIcal IdeoloGybk Wi hipni m F li cni

sng g 53% 49% 42% 48% 50% 44% 56%

ag 14 23 28 23 22 26 18

N 18 18 21 18 18 20 17

dig 4 4 4 4 5 4 3

sng ig 8 4 3 5 4 5 6

Northeast

74% Asng g 47% ag 27N 17dig 4

sng ig 5

south

74% Asng g 54% ag 20N 17dig 4

sng ig 5

mIdWest

69% Asng g 47% ag 22

N 21dig 5sng ig 5

West

73% Asng g 49% ag 24N 19dig 5sng ig 4

colleGes should PrePare cItIzeN lead ers by teachING

amerIcas hIstory, Key texts, aNd INstItutIoNs


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www.iniii.g 11

FIndIng 2

Americans Agree: Colleges Should Teach Americas Heritage

merIcaNs have beeN p i-i i pi pi in n

w nw i in w pp knwn n .

on n ignin qin, w, w g p nn. In gin n - n, g jii g g pp iin ing aii, k , n iniin.

W i i w w ng ,i p, i ni. W i iw w ; k, wi, hi-pni. W i i w w in ii n, n w w n g- .

t i g pp iin ing nin i n ini-in i w n ng n wi n g.

vi png ain wi ii i i i i ipn g ini ii knwg. o 2,508 p-p , 72% g g ppiin ing n ai.eign pn n n qin. on9% ig.

ti nn i nig- in nin ni.

Americans in all geographical regions agree g pp iin ing n ai i, k

, n iniin. ti in 73%in W, 69% in miw, 74% in N, n 74% in s.

Seventy-four percent of conservatives agreen 71% i.

Seventy-two percent of women agree and71% n.

Seventy percent of Hispanics agree, as do67% k n 72% wi.

Seventy-three percent between ages 25 and34 g, 76% g 65 .

Seventy percent earning less than $30,000p g, 71% ning n $100,000.

Seventy-ve percent of those who have in ii g, 72% w n in ii.

Seventy-two percent of Americans who go

n n wk g, 71% w g . Seventy-two percent with only a high

ip g 74% ing g g.

t gi iniin w ai-n i nn. sn- p-n pn in nin ip

wi i nning i, wi 61% - ning n in i ii i nin.

W n i n nn i in wi inking t Jn n

J min. I i in wi bn-jin Fnkin. Wn Fnkin pp n-ing g in Pipi, n n-in i sini lning ig pp ing ag wi mn qi Pik wi hn n i cn.

Jn, min, Fnkin, n n n ain g: g pp

iin .

A


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FIndIng 3

College Adds Little to Civic Knowledge

arNING a colleGe deGree i in knwg ai i,

k , n iniin.t g n ain ii i

w n i in wi g i 57%, n F. t in 13 png pin ig n g n w ig , ng, ip.

cg g in g kp

b b (g 45 64)pi n n Fn . b b w n i in wi g n g 61%, d-.

on g, ain w n i in wn g ig nw 14.4 33 qin n

. t w n i in wn g g pi nw 18.9 qin . an ain wi -g g, in w, pi gin n n nw in g.

on n in g g n c n , n n 42% wig g n c . ti-w p-n wi g g i.

hing g ip n gn

pn wi knw nn ain i w gn-n wk.

Thirty-six percent of college graduates can-n n n gnn,qi knwg n u.s. iinip. rk, i p-ng -i iinip ppin

w nw i qin .* Only 26% of college graduates know that

p w pin wn n t J-n . Fi-w pn ii i n in cniin.

Only 33% of college graduates know the Bill rig p pii iing ni igin uni s.

Eighteen percent of college graduates can-n n ing ig gn- Fi ann.

Only 54% of college graduates correctly de-n npi in wi ini-i iin , ng, n ng n i. tin pn ii i in wi n n pp i g ji .

Thirty-two percent of college graduates i pin pw w.

The average score or the college

graduates who took ISIs American civic

literacy exam was 57%, an F. That wasonly 13 percentage points higher than the

44% earned by those who hold high

school, but not college, diplomas.

E

* U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, NaturalizationTest Redesign Project Report, January 2008.


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www.iniii.g 13

Only 24% of college graduates know that in i in linndg w w -w pn in nw ii.

College graduates also do little better thanig g in iingiingwn Gg a n din Inpnn. on 24% g g (p 21% ig g) knw p

gnn pp, pp, pp Pin lin-n i p. F-ig pn g g (p 41% ig g) in i i din.

ain p ini gnwi ain g. In 2005-ing Nin cn e-in sii, , n gnn

g $114 iin pi g n $17 iin pi g.W p, n w nn

n i wn in g, iin n i inn? Gin 71% ig pp iin ingn ai i, k , n iniin,i i n ging w p

w .

undergrAduATeS FAIL

Average score by highest academic degree attained

hIGhest deGree averaGe score

d 72%m 64

ung 57

hig s 44

N hig s 35

BABy BOOmerS dO BeST:THey eArn A d-

Average score by age or those who ended their ormaleducation with a bachelors degree

aGe averaGe score

18 24 59%

25 34 54

35 44 54

45 64 61

65+ 59

PuBLIC, PrIvATe, AndreLIgIOuS COLLegeS dOequALLy POOrLy

Average score by type o our-year college or those whoended their ormal education with a bachelors degree

colleGe tyPe averaGe score

s unii 58%

Pi s unii 58

rigi unii 58

dO AmerICAS FOundIngdOCumenTS STILL mATTer?

Among respondents who ended their ormal educationwith a bachelors degree, those who think Americas

ounding documents still matter score higher on the testthan those who dont

averaGeoPINIoN score

ag ng g aining n in n 60%

dig ng ig aining n in n 48

Thirty-six percent o college graduatescannot name all three branches o government,

required knowledge on the U.S. citizenship

exam. Remarkably, that is the same percentage

o frst-time citizenship applicants who

answer this question correctly.


16/32


FIndIng 4

TelevisionIncluding TV NewsDumbs America Down

N order to p i ip -g g n ii i, IsI in -

iin ig n inii ii knwg. t

w p g gin ni inw i i in pnn i niq, ii ignin ip n i ii knwg.

t ip-gin ni ini

pn p in ppin i pn ing in p pi nii. tking n pn, wing wn n i, n n niing tv nw - n ni iini pnnii i.

ai king knwg g pin in ig-qi nin ppi .ring i n n n in k,

gin, n nwppn king j wi i n inin pn-n ii i.

In , n ain w k g g iniii n in w npn i wing tv n king n pnn qi ii knwg n p wi g g.

Wi ning g in ii

knwg n n ing (+6.9%n ), ii knwg gin ngg-ing in qn nin pi i,ing n n n i, n pii-ping in in ii iii i g n gin g n.

Frequently discussing public affairs and his- wi i n in 5.5%

thIs tableshows the change in a respondents test score associated with six selected behaviors in his orher lie.

chaNGe INbehavIor cIvIc KNoWledGe

PosItIve INFlueNce oF actIve learNING

Fqn iing n n n pi i +5.5%

(di wk pp n, , n)Piiping in in n pii +1.7 p in

(Nin i nging igning piin ning pi i)

ring i n n in k, nwpp, gin +0.1 p p wk

NeGatIve INFlueNce oF PassIve electroNIc medIum

Wing i wn n -0.14 p p wk

viiing n pn -0.10 p p wk

Wing iin nw ni -0.08 p p wk

the couch PotatoPheNomeNoN

I


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www.iniii.g 15

pnn n ii i . Reading about history and current events

in k, gin, n nwpp n g 15 p wk 1.5% pnn .

Americans who make habits of both fre-qn ning pi i ni n ing -

j n g 15 p wk

in i ii knwg 7%ig n 6.9% gin ning g g.

More involved political activities (beyond ing) ning pii- , giing n pii -pign, igning piin, piing i i wiig . a pnn in- 1.7% n ii-i. ti ning k ning

IsI pi ii i g ning ai g n-in-n wi i iinip.

Twenty-four-hour cable news channels aren n ii knwg. rpn-n 0.08% n i pn wk wingtv nw pg n ni.

Electronic media is not all bad. Active Inn i pii

wi ig . rpnn wqn p i nwking i

Fk n mp ig- n pnn w n.

Ining, ni i pp w n ii i nni, n wn ing nn iin inn.

t gg in n ip ii i

ain inpiing in ing n-ing. cg in pi n in i ni-

in ii i nging n inpnn, i i ing pnn wing tv, n piip in ii i.

Paula abdul beatshoNest aberpnn w k i n

jg n ppAmericanIdoliin pg. P a n w-knwn. o wi n

pp knw w jg nAmerican Idol knw p gnn

pp, pp, pp

linn Gg a.

N a jg nAmerican Idol 56%

rgni p linn Gg a 21%

Respondents who scored in the top third in civic literacy were more likely than

those who scored poorly to participate in the civic lie o their communities.

Getty Images


18/32


FIndIng 5

What College Graduates Dont Know About America

heN the rev. min l King J. linn mi in 1963 n

i i I h d p, i n nn pinip ai n-ing, n : Wn i pi w gnin w cni-in n din Inpnn, wigning pi n wi ain

w i.

N i King ng pi-n w ikn in i. e-ing Gg a, King g nin w linn i: Fi g, g

ain, in w i w w n ,ign enipin Pin.

F biing ji , Kingpin ain k pipi Jn din: t p i in s.t aqin: an nj w i n w i n in n w n n w.

King w i in nning g aqin, Jn, n linn ain nwing ii ig n. t i gg i in ii -

King pw k i ginning ng g g.

Almost 90% know life, liberty, and thepi ppin ininig in din. b

thIs raNKINGshows that those who ended their ormal education with a bachelors degree have signifcanttrouble with questions on the ounding and Civil War eras, constitutional themes, and market economics.

% %raNK/theme oF QuestIoN correct raNK/theme oF QuestIoN correct

W

What colleGe Graduates doNt KNoW about amerIca

1. F mk . cni Pnning 16.94%

2. t Pin 23.44

3. Gg a 23.73

4. linndg d 24.21

5. s p w pin 26.28

6. Fdr n sp c 29.74

7. t n Gnn spning 31.37

8. ain Pii bi rig 32.83

9. s, P, ai, aqin 33.5710. dniin Pi G 34.12

11. Fi Pi eni si 42.99

12. ani-Fi n cniin 43.77

13. Innin t 47.47

14. dniin F enpi 53.47

15. Pi t F r 56.52

16. bin P 60.01

17. ain 62.08

18. Pw d W 62.66%

19. t bn Gnn 64.43

20. dniin Pgi t 64.48

21. F bn n Fign Pi 67.78

22. u.s. si tnin in 1962 75.47

23. W W II eni 77.71

24. e cg 78.19

25. Fdr Gnn Pg 79.20

26. sp mnk ti 81.3227. spnik 81.80

28. Fi ann F 82.22

29. m. l. King I h d 85.26

30. Pw F Gnn 85.56

31. sn b. ann 87.24

32. cn in ci 89.61

33. din Inpnn 89.85


19/32

www.iniii.g 17

are colle Ge Graduates prepared to de-liberate wisely on the ree market and public policy? Thischart details how graduates did on some undamental eco-nomics questions, and includes the most popular incorrectanswer or each question. Whether the question concernsthe Fed, fscal policy, trade, or ree enterprise in general,College Joe appears to be economically illiterate.

Wi wing i pi F r?

56.5% answered correctly 20.7% selected the incorrect answer:

Increasing or decreasing government spendingInnin n piiin n wi wing?

47.5% answered correctly 20.9% selected the incorrect answer:

A decrease in a nations economic growth inthe long term

F npi pii i in :

53.5% answered correctly

13.4% selected the incorrect answer:Government implements policies that avorbusinesses over consumers

bin p i:

60.0% answered correctly 14.1% selected the incorrect answer:Assets

minus liabilities

Wi wing pi ininw gnn ik w ini ii wn n i in

in? 43.0% answered correctly 35.2% selected the incorrect answer:

Decreasing both taxes and spendingF k pi ni pp-i n gnn ni pnning :

16.9% answered correctly 40.8% selected the incorrect answer:More

tax revenue can be generated rom ree enterprise

colleGe Graduates

ecoNomIc IllIteracy

n 34% knw ai n aqin w n in i pinip in pnn n pii i n n.

Eighty-two percent can name at least oneig in Fi ann, n 24% knw in i linndg w w - w pn in nw

ii. Eighty-ve percent know Kings I Have a

d p p i p iji, n 24% gni ngg linn Gg a.

o, w -g n knw wni-n ain i- n -k ni n p- wni n, pi ni-in pinip n ning n cii W .

ti i p i w wni-n- in p-g in, n g i in g gin ii, ning g n iignin gp in ii knwg.

an n g w ii n w, I i , King i linn mi. I i p in ain . t kp i,g j ing iin pipi nin.

When the architects o our republic wrote

the magnifcent words o the Constitution

and the Declaration o Independence, they

were signing a promissory note to which

every American was to all heir.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.


20/32


are you smarter thaN a PolItIcIaN?

oF the 2 ,508 PeoPle surveyed, 164 say they have held an elected government ofce at least once intheir lie. Their average score on the civic literacy test is 44%, compared to 49% or those who have not held anelected ofce. Ofceholders are less likely than other respondents to correctly answer 29 o the 33 test questions.This table shows the knowledge gap or each question: the dierence between the percentage o common citizens

who answered correctly and the percentage o ofceholders who answered correctly.

elected KNoWledGe

theme oF QuestIoN cItIzeNs PolItIcIaNs GaP

1. u.s. si tnin in 1962 70.09% 56.51% -13.58%

2. din Inpnn 83.09 69.78 -13.31

3. spnik 74.10 62.82 -11.28

4. dniin F enpi 41.45 32.08 -9.37

5. m. l. King I h d 80.50 71.50 -9.00

6. e cg 65.88 57.31 -8.57

7. sp mnk ti 67.76 59.21 -8.55

8. sn b. ann 80.84 72.98 -7.86

9. Pw d W 53.60 45.82 -7.78

10. bin P 49.11 41.38 -7.73

11. Innin t 37.47 30.45 -7.02

12. Fdr Gnn Pg 66.63 59.73 -6.90

13. ain 50.77 43.94 -6.83

14. F bn n Fign Pi 54.71 48.39 -6.32

15. Fi ann F 79.58 73.32 -6.26

16. s, P, ai, aqin 29.49 23.29 -6.20

17. Fdr n sp c 25.07 19.24 -5.83

18. t n Gnn spning 27.70 22.12 -5.58

19. F mk . cni Pnning 16.25 10.71 -5.54

20. ain Pii bi rig 26.41 21.24 -5.17

21. cn in ci 79.04 74.46 -4.58

22. ani-Fi n cniin 38.22 33.82 -4.40

23. s p w pin 18.92 15.07 -3.85

24. Pi t F r 43.12 40.48 -2.64

25. Pw F Gnn 75.01 72.69 -2.32

26. W W II eni 68.76 66.58 -2.18

27. t Pin 19.10 17.32 -1.78

28. dniin Pgi t 51.26 49.97 -1.29

29. t bn Gnn 49.65 49.32 -0.33

30. dniin Pi G 27.60 28.03 0.43

31. Gg a 21.06 22.95 1.89

32. Fi Pi eni si 36.07 39.93 3.86

33. linndg d 19.06 23.62 4.56


21/32

www.iniii.g 19

AddITIOnAL FIndIng

Elected Oicials Score Lower than the General Public

he IsI cIvIc lIteracy w nign ii knwg

i, i i i in n in-ing pn i pin.

a pnn w k w ngg in n 13 in pii nii iii. t in, p, gi-ing , igning piin, ning pii, piing i, n w

n gnn .ang 2,508 pnn, 164

n gnn n. ti-p i ing : i w n gn pi.

t w i n n -g 44% n ii i , wi i png pin w n g 49% w n n . I w ining p w i ii- ignin i inin g

p i.t nk d (40%), rpin (31%), Inpnn(21%), n w ng n p ini n iin (8%). Nn w k p-i w , ppin in wi , , piin i nknwn.

N p, . s i nk ng ig . b i n ng w

wn pi i ig (74%) n ng w n (71%). o w n

- : pii i, iniin, ign in, n k n.

In wing , p, - p n nn-:

Seventy-nine percent of those who haven gnn nknw bi rig p piiiing n i igin u.s.

Thirty percent do not know that life, lib-, n pi ppin inin ig in d-in Inpnn.

Twenty-seven percent cannot name evenn ig gn Fi ann.

Forty-three percent do not know what thee cg . on in ink i

i in piing ig p-ii w i pi i pini .

Fifty-four percent do not know the Consti-in gi cng pw

w. ti-nin pn ink pwng pin, n 10% ink ing Jin ci s.

Only 32% can properly dene the free en-pi , n n 41% n iniin p n in pn.

on qin, ain w n ain w n.t i ik, p, g-ni ngg Gg a (23% 21%) n knw qin w - w pn in nw ii

w in i in linndg (25% 20%).

o n nn- n i q- i ini n gn-n. on 49% gp n n gi-i, i, n jii.

T


22/32


COnCLuSIOn

A Call to Reorm

heN JeFFersoN, madIsoN, n ing viginin ign pn

unii vigini, knw i n ping gi iin i.

F nii i n-ing, i n pi pp.

t pinip i ppi. Gin ii-n n n g, w g -iiing i?

on n niin Jn n minw nii w p nin n in i gn knwg.

an i nn gnin -ing knwg qi wp i, ing i i wn qiiin nii, n ning wn in nn in, n knw-g n w-ing nkin, i rkGp p.

t Fning F i ni-

in nii w pi: N w i nin, ng n in, in ng ining p n ini i n in i pngii, -i, n jiin i pp in ni nin gnn; ning n in ning ppi, pw, n ppin nin.

t i n, Jn n min

Wnii ii in king pi p-p ii i. I in wk Jn lk n agnn sin gnpinip i, din Inpn-n iini pinip u.s. g-nn, The Federalist gnin ning u.s. cniin, n Wingn Fw

a pii n pi .ti IsI pOur Fading Heritage: Americans

Fail a Basic Test on Their History and Institutionsn ain p n g n n i. a jii g pp iin ing ai ig.

I n g n -ing i iin. ain i ii i-n i g.

IsI pi ii i i- g ii ning g n-in-n

wi i iinip, n w n

pnnn i : ain w iii igin n ing knwg- i n i n iniin.ti i n ipn ning, n IsI wi ping n wn ii knwg n ii pii-pin in i in in p. Our Fading Heritage i pi- i ai ning nn pinip ig wi pn-n ii knwg, gging inip wn n ii knwg n gin wi g n

i pi i ai ini-in, i n ing g pin. ti inip wi -i nin in ing IsI i.

b w n ning g Jn n min p g in ini gii, -i, n jii, n g g n-n n n n gnn.


23/32

www.iniii.g 21

IsI pn ini, ,, n, p, pn, n -i gi i n n nii. F p:

Do colleges require courses in Americani, pii, ni, n ?

Do colleges assess the civic or overall learn-

ing i g? Do elected ofcials link college appropria-

in ii ning?

Do parents make college selection choices pn i p-n?

F p , IsI n i ai iniin ig ning ni i n i nning

nn i, , n iniin ain pi. F ng, ai gn niii n n n i - i pn, pii n i ppig n nwn. Nw i i- i in, n wi iin nining kk, ii i ini n i

wi k in ain ig -in p i n g wk ing ing n in IsI ii ip. t i i nw, n IsI k -

w wking wi iin g wi g ip qi gi ii in.

Jn n min p p -iin-k in i n g. IsIp in -ning Jn nmin iin ig in. an ipn k.

I w i in w ain w i n p, w nnp p i n gnin.

IsI GrateFully

thaNKs the F olloWING

suPPorters oF the

amerIcaN cIvIc

lIteracy ProGram

the armstroNG FouNdatIoN

mr. aNd mrs. J. bayard boyle Jr.

the lyNde aNd harry bradleyFouNdatIoN

challeNGe FouNdatIoN

chase FouNdatIoN oF vIrGINIa

the cortoPassI INstItute

the hoN. aNd mrs. W. l. haNley Jr.

thorNtoN d. aNd elIzabeth s.hooPer FouNdatIoN

the hustoN FouNdatIoN

the Jm FouNdatIoN

Garvey KaNsas FouNdatIoN

F. m. KIrby FouNdatIoN

Koret FouNdatIoN

PhIlIP m. mcKeNNa FouNdatIoN

sarah scaIFe FouNdatIoN

stuart FamIly FouNdatIoN

JohN temPletoN FouNdatIoN

mr. rIchard W. WeeKley

The printing o this report was made possible,in part, thanks to the generous support o

Mr. Michael Jude Lopitz.


24/32


WeIGhtING calculatIoNs

total u.s. total survey WeIGht WeIGht WeIGhtNo. % No. % WhIte blacK other

total 225,633,342 2,508

male 18 24 years 15,326,044 6.79%l n hs hs G 8,714,397 3.86 80 3.19% 1.10 1.80 1.20s cg ai 5,571,125 2.47 41 1.63 1.40 2.22 1.50b dg 976,599 0.43 19 0.76 0.55 0.01 0.57G dg 63,923 0.03 3 0.12 0.23 0.00 0.24

male 25 34 years 20,249,512 8.97l n hs hs G 9,520,735 4.22 57 2.27 1.70 2.70 1.80s cg ai 5,542,208 2.46 48 1.91 1.20 1.90 1.20b dg 3,818,398 1.69 49 1.95 0.83 1.30 0.87G dg 1,368,171 0.61 32 1.28 0.01 0.02 0.48

male 35 44 years 21,948,874 9.73l n hs hs G 9,997,142 4.43 47 1.87 2.00 3.25 2.00s cg ai 5,709,650 2.53 47 1.87 1.30 2.00 1.30

b dg 4,019,304 1.78 83 3.31 0.03 0.05 0.54G dg 2,222,778 0.99 48 1.91 0.02 0.03 0.51male 45 64 years 36,554,880 16.20

l n hs hs G 15,702,808 6.96 134 5.34 1.20 1.90 1.30s cg ai 9,821,354 4.35 90 3.59 1.10 1.80 1.20b dg 6,432,329 2.85 103 4.11 0.04 1.00 0.69G dg 4,598,389 2.04 79 3.15 0.03 0.05 0.65

male 65 years & older 15,606,675 6.92l n hs hs G 8,683,778 3.85 80 3.19 1.10 1.80 1.20s cg ai 3,082,484 1.37 52 2.07 0.02 0.03 0.66b dg 2,031,268 0.90 51 2.03 0.02 0.03 0.44G dg 1,809,145 0.80 55 2.19 0.02 0.03 0.37

Female 18 24 years 14,374,474 6.37l n hs hs G 6,684,718 2.96 68 2.71 0.03 1.50 1.00s cg ai 6,172,281 2.74 43 1.71 1.50 2.22 1.60b dg 1,400,582 0.62 17 0.68 0.01 0.01 0.92G dg 116,893 0.05 3 0.12 0.00 0.00 0.43

Female 25 34 years 19,656,087 8.71l n hs hs G 7,214,157 3.20 49 1.95 1.50 2.22 1.60s cg ai 6,119,037 2.71 44 1.75 1.40 2.22 1.50b dg 4,485,475 1.99 50 1.99 0.02 1.50 1.00G dg 1,837,418 0.81 28 1.12 0.01 1.10 0.73



Female 65 years & older 21,584,329 9.57l n hs hs G 14,258,549 6.32 122 4.86 0.05 1.90 1.30s cg ai 4,210,607 1.87 59 2.35 0.02 1.20 0.79b dg 1,904,998 0.84 51 2.03 0.02 0.03 0.42G dg 1,210,175 0.54 31 1.24 0.01 0.02 0.43


25/32

www.iniii.g 23

Survey deveLOPmenTAnd meTHOdOLOgy

survey QuestIoN develoPmeNtt ni 118 qin. ti- qin pnn iiknwg, wi ining qin inin n i pi pip (39 q-in), ii i (29), n gpi (17).d. Knn di, ri bk, n Gs in pn qing ig p inpnn n-in, ii n, n iw.

tin 33 knwg qin k-n pi IsI p IsI

i niii n n w i n pg 28. Nin ii knwgqin kn u.s. dpn ein 12 g NaeP , n i u.s. niin . tw nw knwg q-in w p pi i nw n wn n ain hi101 p nin www.InP..

aiin nin n iwnning qin pn n nin w N-

in cii li b, i n pg 29, n IsI pin .

INtervIeW techNIQueaNd samPle sIzet pp n i nin n-igi-i (rdd) -ping ign. a 2,508 ain win in ping. t w iniw pn api 17 m 10, 2008.

t gin p 2,508

i +/- 2.0 png pin 95% nn. Wn ping n gp (.g., n, wn, g g, .), -ping i ig. t ping n iniwg w ign d. Knn di unii cnni.

survey PoPulatIoNt pn n kn pn pii p inii w i in

wi ini pn i in uni s.

raNdomIzed samPle selectIoNt rdd pn pnn gn np pn in uni s.

Wiin pn , n pnnw n iiing i t/c inin niq. W k ng , n i n i, ng .ti niq n pn n-wing pn iing w piip in

.F i , bn r, In., w -

iin n pn iniiing rdd ping g s spingInnin (ssI). uing ssI n rdd -g, p w wn wi p i q n p iniw.

WeIGhtINGIn k pppi pjin - ppin, wig n ppi .

Wig pn pn pii - j p ppin i-i iiin nniniini ppin uni s. t wiging p j inn in ping g. t gn ppin w ign nin ppin, kn 2006 ai-n cni s, n wig w ppi n g, gn, in, n . t

wiging in i n ppipg.

aNalyses aNd rePort WrItINGt i igni n ii n w i, ining ii inn pn ip gin n, w in-pnn n n n jin d. Knn di unii cn-ni n d. G s IsI. IsI iiing wtn J pi ni wiing i p.


26/32

2008 CIvIC LITerACy TeST

Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen?Theaverage score or all 2,508 Americans taking the ollowing test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can

you do better? Questions were drawn rom past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams. Goto www.americancivicliteracy.org to take the test online and see the detailed results or each question.

PolItIcal hIstory

1. Wi wing inin ig in din Inpnn?. i, i, n pp

. n, i, n p. i, , n ni

. i, p, n q pin. i, i, n pi ppin

2. In 1933 Fnkin dn r pp i gnn pg knwn :. G si. sq d. Nw d. Nw Fni. pp-i ni

3. W n gnn?

Source: Old Naturalization Exam, U.S. History and Govern-ment, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, No. 20,

www.uscis.gov/fles/nativedocuments/Flashcard_questions.pd

4. W w in i in wna linn n spn a. dg in 1858?. I wng?. s w pn nw

ii?

. d sn niinig nin?

. a ain ain iin uni s?

2006 NAEP U.S. History Test o 12th Graders,

http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/itmrls/startsearch.asp

5. t uni s e cg:. in piing ig pii . w i pi i

pini . i wi knwn u.s. cng. i niin n

pin. w ni sp c

6. t bi rig pii pii:

. p in pi . iiinin n , , igin. wnip gn pi inii. iing n i igin uni

s. pin ing in i in

pning i

7. W w wing p:Gnn pp, pp, pp?. p I h d

. din Inpnn. u.s. cniin. Gg a

John, David. American History 101?http://www.inoplease.com/spot/ushistory1.html



27/32

8. In 1935 n 1936 sp c ipn p Nw d wnniin. Pin r pn ning :. ip sp c ji. iin sp c. ppin iin sp c ji

w i iw. i sp c iin

gining -q jii in cng

2006 NAEP U.S. History Test o 12th Graders

9. un cniin, pw ng gnn. W i n pw gnn?

New Naturalization Exam, October 1, 2008, History andGovernment, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, No.

41, www.uscis.gov/fles/nativedocuments/100q.pd

10. N n ig gn Fiann.

New Naturalization Exam

11. W ip i ani-Fi n uni s cniin?. i gn p pin

bi rig. i gn p iin

. i infn n

gnn w inin ning . i infn n

gnn w pw


12. Wi wing n i in?. i w g in in 1960. sp c k wn g

iin n i in Roe v. Wade. sp c in Plessy v.

Ferguson ng wn nii pn n ipning in

. Nin ogniin Wn i g iin n i

. i i n g n in p in, p i

13. s, P, ai, n aqin w n- :. n pii i i n

i n p. i pin i

in p in. igining in n nin nn

jg . ciini i n igin n

. in pnn n pii

i n n

cultural INstItutIoNs

14. t Pin:. pp w n gn. inn ni. i in p igi . ni u n ip

big yng. w ci iini ping igi

pin15. t p in ai w

pin wn n pp in:. Gg Wingn Fw a. mfw cp. cniin. din Inpnn. t Jn

www.iniii.g 25

www.aicaciiclitac.o


28/32

16. In i I h d p, d. minl King J.:. g iin . k pi. n i in. p i p i ji n

. pp ai ning

i w iiin

17. spnik w n gin :. niin

. ni p. gn . n i

John, David. American History 101?

18. sn b. ann w n . gn wn ig in nin

in. gn ig . n w gin iin w

p. i cniin

uni s


19. t sp mnk ti w :. p. ing in in . p in . in in pi

John, David. American History 101?

ForeIGN relatIoNs20. W i n in i u.s. ii?

New Naturalization Exam

21. N w ni w ni ingW W II.

Old Naturalization Exam

22. W p gnn pw w?. cng

. pin. sp c. Jin ci s

Old Naturalization Exam

23. In o 1962 uni s n siunin w i si:. n e bin. ii in c. pp h ci min gi in vi N. ii pp mi gi in

agnin


24. In uni s ign pi, cng pw wi :. pin. sp c. gnn. uni Nin

2006 NAEP Civics Test o 12th Graders

marKet ecoNomy

25. F npi pii i in :. p nging nin

ppin i. inii iin , ng, n n

g n . i, pinp, n ning . n n pp i g

ji . gnn ipn pii

in n


2008 CIvIC LITerACy TeST COnTInued


29/32

26. bin p i:. in n. in iiii. n in pn. ing pi k in i p pi. ning in

27. F k pi nippi n gnn ni pnning:. pi ii knwg

n n n

. k pn in, wgnn i pn n pinwi w

. n n gn npi

. pp ig n n n k

. gnn pnn i inpning p n

28. a pgi :. ng inn wi

ig in. i i 6% . qi wi ig in p

ig i in. qi in p

i in. k n p in

29. a f-n ( nin n) ini pi g :. iin i n iin. in n n i wi i

ping i. gnn nin n in

pn. inn pni nn p

f. gnn p i nin, n

iin

30. Wi wing pi ininw gnn ik w i ni ii wn n iin in?. ining n pning. ining n ing pning. ing n ining pning. ing n pning

2006 NAEP Economics Test o 12th Graders

31. Innin n piiin n wi wing?

. n in in nin pii. in nin ni gw in

ng . n in in nin ip i. in nin n iing


32. Wi wing i pi F r?. iing wing in . ining ing npn n. ing ing gnn ii. ining ing gnn pning


33. I q gnn pning, n:. gnn i . pining n n ng infin. gnn i n ping n. p pn q gnn pning

p pn. p n pi-in pning

n

www.iniii.g 27

Take the test, fnd out the correct answers,

and see how well you score by visiting

www.americancivicliteracy.org

www.aicaciiclitac.o


30/32


about theInTerCOLLegIATe

STudIeS InSTITuTehe INtercolleGIate si Ini-

(IsI) i nnp, nnpin, 501 ()(3)-p in gniin n in

1953 in i gnin aing nning ni,pii, n i in n -n i. Wi IsI n pni n 900 g, n wi n 65,000 IsIn n n i p

in n, IsI i n n ngpp wi in p-g pn i nning aini i.

IsI nn n n 300 inpg n n, ining , -, n nn, n . IsI g wip piing g n ii n iin pi IsI k, jn, n i n nwppn g n nii p n.

t pg wk in n in inw n in iing gnin n ppiin nin ning pinipii gn-n, inii i, pi pp, kn, pn pniii, n i n.F inin IsI, ii www.ii.g.

In 2003, IsI n ain cii li- Pg n ngn ing

ai i n iniin g .IsI n wi unii cnni d-pn Pi Pi in 2006 n 2007

n nn nin in n n wi g n niii ing ai i n iniin n-g n. vii www.iniii.g p iing p-king - .

t ain cii li Pg i gn IsI Nin cii li b n i p IsI unii swip Iniii.

T

Is I amerIcaN cIvIc lIteracyProGram staFF

dr. Rchar Brake,di unii swip

Parck Fr, mnging di higein r n o

terece Jeffrey, viiing Fw, cii li

Pa Rhe, di Inin tng

dr. gary sc, sni r Fw,cii li

Faculty advIsors

dr. dav d. Crey, b unii,Pii Pip

Prf. Eear d. Cra, unii dw,eni

dr. Keeh darch, unii cnni, ain Pii

dr. Arew Fhee, mN s unii,

eni

dr. Peer gbb, bn unii, ein

dr. safr ikea, s unii Nwyk, P cg, eni

dr. A. Jame McAam, unii Nd, Innin n si ai

dr. Jh Q, s rgin unii,hi

dr. Brk d. smp, ain sunii, hi

dr. Braey C. s. Wa, sin vinncg, Pii Pip

dr. R. V. Y, N cin sunii, engi

All photos and graphics used in this report are iStockPhoto except or the ISI logo, the report covers on page 3, the John Trumbull painting on page 11(public domain), and the Paula Abdul photo on page 13 ( Getty Images).


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Mrs. Ramona Bassvi Pin,

l n rn b Fnin

Mr. T. William Boxxcin/ceo,

Piip m. mKnn Fnin

Hon. John BridgelandPin/ceo, cii enpi

Hon. T. Kenneth Cribb Jr.Pin, Ingi si Ini

Hon. Pete du PontPi cin,

Nin cn Pi ani

Hon. John EnglerPin/ceo,

Nin aiin mn

Dr. Robert P. Georgemcik ci in Jipn

n di min Pg,Pinn unii

Dr. Victor Davis Hansonsni Fw, h Iniin

Hon. Eugene W. HickokF dp s ein

ISIS nATIOnAL

CIvIC LITerACy BOArd

Mr. Roger Kimballei n Pi, New Criterion

Mr. Lewis E. Lehrmansni Pn n cin,ln & cpn llc

Mr. Ross Mackenzieeii Pg cniing cni,

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Hon. John O. Marsh Jr.F s a

Mr. Carlos Moseleycin ei, Nw yk Pini

Mr. Michael NovakGg Fik Jw s,ain enpi Ini

Ms. Dorothy Rabinowitzeii b m,

Wall Street Journal

Vice Adm. John Ryan, USN (Ret.)

ci ei,cn ci lip

Mr. Thomas A. Saunders IIIF mnging Pn,

mgn sn

Chaia

Lt. General Josiah Bunting IIIPin, h. Fnk Gggni Fnin

spinnn ei, vigini mii Ini

mbs


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Itcolliat Stis IstittAica Ciic Litac Poa

Itcolliat Stis Istitt, Ic.

3901 Ctill roa

P.O. Bo 4431

Wilito, de 19807-0431

Pho (302) 652-4600

www.aicaciiclitac.o

civic literacy report 08-09

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