Rhodes students know their US History

[curmudgeon]

<p>(merlin, psst. They were leaving us alone. Out here in the country we have a saying, “Most times, it’s better not to poke a snake”. And no I’m not calling anyone a snake. I could go with the tried and true “sleeping dogs”, if you like that one better. ) </p>

<p>I’m heading to Memphis at stupid thirty a.m. to soak up some civic literacy with my rack of ribs. I’ll report back on all constitutional issues covered at Blues City. (I believe we may have an inalienable right to a vinegar based BBQ sauce.)</p>

[wisteria]

<p>I agree with curmudgeon–I don’t believe anyone was putting Rhodes down. </p>

<p>The survey methodology is flawed, but that is no fault of Rhodes.</p>

<p>Indeed, Rhodes is being remarkably gracious about not gloating or boasting on its website. (#2, #3, and #4 schools all feature the news prominently on their home page and/or news page.) I couldn’t find a trace of the news on Rhodes’ site.</p>

<p>I share marite’s concern that the sloppy methodology in this survey could easily be exploited by demagogues to feed the temptation to micromanage higher education.</p>

<p>Politician Pete Dupont had an op-ed piece in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal which underscored those fears:</p>

<p>

What Do You Know?
If you’re an American college student, probably not much.</p>

<p>BY PETE DU PONT
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT</p>

<p>“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.”</p>

<p>Thomas Jefferson<br>
letter to William Charles Jarvis<br>
Sept. 20, 1820 </p>

<p>So how is America’s modern education system doing in this regard? Are our citizens enlightened enough to exercise the powers of our democracy? Do our colleges and universities provide their students the American history and constitutional understanding needed to make them strong and responsible citizens?</p>

<p>A study released this week by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute–<a href=“http://www.americancivicliteracy.org--demonstrates”>www.americancivicliteracy.org–demonstrates</a> that the answers to both questions are no. The study concludes that “America’s colleges and universities fail to increase knowledge about America’s history and institutions.” In a 60-question multiple-choice quiz ,“college seniors failed the civic literacy exam, with an average score of 53.2 percent, or F, on a traditional grading scale.” And at many schools “seniors know less than freshmen about America’s history, government, foreign affairs, and economy.” (Disclosure: I am a member of the ISI’s Civic Literacy Board, though I was not involved in preparing this survey.)

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pdupont/?id=110009000[/url]”>http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pdupont/?id=110009000&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If universities are not proactive in demonstrating (in a valid way) that they are a worthy use of public funds, they are indeed ripe for micromanagement.</p>

[curmudgeon]

<p>

#2, #3, and #4 schools all feature the news prominently on their home page and/or news page.) I couldn’t find a trace of the news on Rhodes’ site.

Thank the Lord. Whew. I hadn’t checked yet today. I thought I was going to have to inquire about the Parent Section of the Witness Protection Program. :eek:</p>

<p>Please, please, administrators of Rhodes, show the same good sense you’ve shown in other areas here, too and ignore this thing.</p>

[NJres]

<p>The freshman class at Rhodes is surely above average!!</p>

[curmudgeon]

<p>NJres, LOL Tall…and pretty, too. (Cincymom’s male child is also a freshman bball player at Rhodes. Quite tall. He may also be pretty. I don’t know that yet.:)) </p>

<p>As I try to deflect negative vibes away from D’s school with my so-called “humor”, it suddenly hits me. I have not packed , nor do I have any cash for the trip. :eek:</p>

[NJres]

<p>bumper sticker I saw yesterday: Driver carries no cash - He’s married! :D</p>