Is ‘Judge Judy’ on the Supreme Court? Lack of civics knowledge leads to colleges filling the gap
Is ‘Judge Judy’ on the Supreme Court? Lack of civics knowledge leads to colleges filling the gap
Surveys show that a third of American adults can’t name the three branches of the federal government.
On the first day of his American National Government class, Prof. Kevin Dopf asks how many of his students are United States citizens. Every hand shoots up.
“So, how did all you people become citizens?” he asks. “Did you pass a test?”
“No,” one young woman says tentatively. “We were born here.”
It’s a good thing. Based on his years of making his students at the University of South Carolina Beaufort take the test given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, most would be rejected.
Most states require some sort of high school civics instruction. But with surveys showing that a third of American adults can’t name the three branches of the federal government, and one in which 10% of college graduates think Judith Sheindlin – TV’s “Judge Judy” – serves on the U.S. Supreme Court, many think we should be aiming higher.
Here's an AP citizenship quiz, if you want to test your knowledge.
I got them all right, including the number of Representatives, which is something that Jill Stein (who is actually running for president) didn't know.
I'm surprised I got 80%. I thought I'd fail for sure. Granted, the real test isn't multiple choice, at least according to the blurb at the end of the quiz. I'm sure I'd do horribly on the real thing, but that's why people study for it ahead of time.
I only got 50%, phew. Guess I won't have to move to the US any time soon.
Imagine if knowing about US civics ended with people getting conscripted as immigrants.
"NO, PLEASE, NOT AMERICA"
"WE NEED YOUR CIVIC KNOWLEDGE"
6/10. Not bad for never having taken a US civics course.
Miffed I missed the Bill o'Rights one. As ever, need to slow down and read the question better.
I'd have got 100%, but I misread the date on the first one.
I got 9/10. Maybe I could migrate to the US.
Maybe wait until November before you make a decision
Woo! Got a 100!
10/10 and most cases didn't even need to see the choices.
E. Pleb Nista!
The AP citizenship quiz shouldn't be AP, it should be a requirement to graduate.
I agree civics is immensely important, but I think we might have bigger issues in our education system.
https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/post/literacy-statistics-2024-2025-where-we-are-now
This is exactly what the republicans strive for.
Last year, North Carolina Republicans introduced the REACH Act, an acronym for “Reclaiming College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage.” The bill required undergraduates to take at least three credit hours in American government and read a series of major U.S. history documents, from the Declaration of Independence to Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” They would also have to pass a final exam worth 20% of the final grade.
Per the article
That's cool and all, but these people do know the government controls k-12 public schools right?
Kids should know this shit long before college... And what about everyone who doesn't go to college? They should just go fuck themselves I guess?
Teach this shit in middle school/high school.
Not shocking, the level of understanding the average person on here has on the topic of civics is downright depressing.
We're on the brink of another Trump term --Justice Judy may well happen in the next year or two...
2 out of 10, but then I'm a Brit so I'm chuffed I got any!
Don't give Trump any ideas.
They want the court to be Judge, Judy, and Executioner.