ACTA in the NewsHistorical Literacy
National group backs NC REACH Act
RALEIGH — A national group focused on academic freedom and excellence is backing a North Carolina House bill that would increase courses in American history and government.
When college students’ knowledge of World War II is put to the test, many are in the dark. Actually, some are entirely clueless.
You might think it wouldn’t be too hard to answer questions like, “What year did WWII begin?” or “Can you name one Axis power?”
You’d be wrong.
When asked to name three Allied powers, one hopeless girl answered “Alaska.” When asked to name one Allied leader, not one, but two people named Adolf Hitler. Seriously?? Oh, and just to clarify, WWII did not begin in 1847.
Oy vey.
The guys seem to have won this knowledge war, but perhaps the girls deserve a break. After all, the top 30 liberal arts colleges don’t require a U.S. history survey course.
Top notch schools like Amherst, Grinnell, Middlebury, Vassar, Oberlin, Smith, Swarthmore, Colgate and Harvey Mudd are just some of the colleges listed in the “Education or Reputation?” report by The American Council of Trustees and Alumni as not requiring an American history class.
Pretty shocking, don’t ya think?
RALEIGH — A national group focused on academic freedom and excellence is backing a North Carolina House bill that would increase courses in American history and government.
On April 2, Nick Down, ACTA’s Associate Director of External Affairs, offered proponent testimony before the North Carolina House Higher Education Committee on H. 7. This legislation would require all students attending public colleges and universities within the state to take a three-credit hour course in American history prior to graduation. Read the full testimony […]
In this episode, ACTA Vice President of Policy Bradley Jackson talks with Jane Calvert, director of the John Dickinson Writings Project and a member of ACTA’s National Commission on American History and Civic Education.
Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
Discover MoreSign up to receive updates on the most pressing issues facing our college campuses.