Cornerstone Action supports HB 159, which would require patriotic exercises in public schools on Federal Constitution Day. According to the recent NAEP U.S. History results, our students are failing at Civics. As you can see from the graph below, there is a real problem in this content area.
Per: Students Fail at Civics: NAEP History Exam Results at a Glance http://hnn.us/node/
Relative Achievement Levels of the Three Tested Groups
4th Graders | 8th Graders | 12th Graders | |
| Basic | 73% | 69% | 45% |
| Proficient | 20% | 17% | 12% |
| Advanced | 2% | 1% | 1% |
- Fewer than 25% of students perform at or above “proficient” level
I hope that all Committee members share my concern for the low proficiency levels our students possess in U.S. History. With that concern, the legislative body can work to find legislative solutions.
I ask you to offer the following test to any 8th-grade student:http://rense.com/
I bring this to your attention because the national scores are reflecting the lack of knowledge our public school students are receiving in U.S. History/Civics.
HB 159 is an attempt to rectify this situation. I ask you to vote “Ought to Pass” in an effort to improve the quality of History/Civics education in our public schools.
—Ann Marie Banfield for Cornerstone Action
