By ANDREW BOYER and JERRY HOSLER
It has been nearly 55 years since the United States' involvement in the Korean conflict. Though our involvement in keeping Korea communism-free stopped long ago, there may just be a new "Korean Conflict" developing right here in the United States.
According to a survey on young Americans' knowledge of geography, on their Web site (www.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom), National Geographic stated that seven in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 COULD NOT find either of the Koreas on a map of Asia. Believe it or not, most young Americans not only have trouble finding specific countries around the world, but they also have a difficult time identifying the states that are in their own country. According to National Geographic's survey, one-third of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could not find the state of Louisiana on an unlabeled map of the United States with state borderlines shown. What is it that is causing this total lack of geographical knowledge? Are our test scores not rising?
In Michigan's curriculum, a geography class is not required to graduate. The three social studies classes that are required throughout high school are supposed to "prepare us for the 21st century and give us the proper knowledge of the world around us," according to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. The curriculum focuses mainly on educating students on the general areas of the world in which an important event occurred. The other countries in the area being studied are usually not touched on in enough detail for the students to locate them on a world map. Students even have trouble finding the country in which a specific event occurred, for example the Korean War. Most students said that they knew the shape of Korea because they studied the Korean War and saw up-close maps of Korea but they could not find it on the world map. How can a student be expected to connect people and events with places if they do not know where the places are at?
In East Jordan High School, 23 percent of the student body (80 students, 20 from each grade), were randomly selected and given five seconds to find the Koreas on a map of Asia. Only 20 percent of freshmen were able to find Korea, the other 80 percent failed miserably. The sophomores did a little better as 40 percent could find Korea, while over half still could not. The juniors had the same results as the sophomores; 40 percent could, 60 percent could not. The seniors did the best with 50 percent being able to find Korea and 50 percent not being able to. Overall 35.5 percent of the students tested in our school can find Korea on a map; that means 64.5 percent of the students tested could not find Korea. Twelve teachers and administrators were also randomly selected, and a respectable 70 percent of them could find the country.
East Jordan is not the only place were people have trouble with geography. In the 2007 Miss Teen U.S.A. Pageant, Miss Teen South Carolina had an extremely difficult time answering the question, "Why do you think that one-fifth of Americans can't find America on a world map?" Her response was this, "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some, people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and, I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, or, uh, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future, for our [children]." In Miss Teen South Carolina's defense it is baffling that one-fifth of Americans cannot find America on a map.
America, needless to say, is geographically challenged. According to the National Geographic survey, six in 10 Americans between the ages 18 and 24 cannot find Iraq on a map of the Middle East. We are at war with the country, and most of the young people, who will soon be running the country can not even find it on a map of the Middle East, let alone a world map! For goodness sake, what is wrong with our education system? Next year in Michigan's curriculum, starting with the class of 2012, students will be required to take a geography class in order to graduate. Will this be what the young people of America need to keep them properly educated on the world around them? As trade continues to globalize, Americans need to keep themselves educated on the world around them so that America can continue being a world power.
Andrew Boyer and Jerry Hosler are juniors at East Jordan High School.
