We are also lagging in civic literacy. In a 2006 test given to college seniors at 25 random colleges the average grade was 48.4%. For example less than 46% know that “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal” comes from The Declaration of Independence. Since these are seniors in college one may assume that the average 24 year old, most of who have not taken 4 years of college would score even lower. This test is administered by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. A failing grade was received on all test areas, American History, American Political Thought, America and the World, and the Market Economy. In 2008 the ISI found the average test scores of adult high school graduates of all ages was 44% and for adult College graduates of all ages it was 57%. Based on the previous testing new college graduates are probably driving the test results down. “Not to know what has been transacted in the past is to be always a child” Cicero. (LS)
