When I was in high school, we were discussing the British and Spanish claims in North America in an American History class. The teacher called on the girl behind me and said, "Well, let's make sure we're all on the same page here. Who are the British? When I say "the British", who do I mean?" The girl's response: "Uuuuuuuuuum . . . Spanish people?" "No, I'm sorry, that's a good guess, but . . ."
I'm pretty sure that if we put loads more money into educational administration and demanded longer school days and shorter vacations, this dismal state of ignorance would disappear! Or, NOT.
This was shot at a local high school, and our news carried a story about it that gives a little perspective. In a nutshell, it was a project patterned after Jaywalking, and it was meant to be funny. Right answers are not funny, so the "many" (according to the article) correct answers that the student interviewer received did not make the final cut. Still, I think it's pretty appalling that any high schooler missed any of those questions.
Education, 
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When I was in high school, we were discussing the British and Spanish claims in North America in an American History class. The teacher called on the girl behind me and said, "Well, let's make sure we're all on the same page here. Who are the British? When I say "the British", who do I mean?"
The girl's response: "Uuuuuuuuuum . . . Spanish people?"
"No, I'm sorry, that's a good guess, but . . ."
*headdesk*
The worst part: That girl made better grades than I did.
I'm pretty sure that if we put loads more money into educational administration and demanded longer school days and shorter vacations, this dismal state of ignorance would disappear! Or, NOT.
This was shot at a local high school, and our news carried a story about it that gives a little perspective. In a nutshell, it was a project patterned after Jaywalking, and it was meant to be funny. Right answers are not funny, so the "many" (according to the article) correct answers that the student interviewer received did not make the final cut. Still, I think it's pretty appalling that any high schooler missed any of those questions.
Unfortunately, Stephanie, it's not uncommon for me to have to explain such difficult concepts as "Europe" to college classes.
It makes one want to flee to the country of Utopia!
I thought "Utopia" was one of the 52 states beginning with "U." Like Eugene, Oregon. Or Europe.