US college students can’t name Father of the Constitution, have shocking gaps in civic knowledge: survey

A new survey shows college students know just about nothing about their country. 

When asked about the nation’s history, its leaders, and our governmental structure, American college students categorically failed on all fronts according to a new survey.

Universities might be churning out the next generation of progressive activists, but when it comes to civics they’re straight up illiterate.

The grim survey, called “Losing America’s Memory,” polled more than 3,000 undergraduates and was conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) in May and June.

When it came to America’s history, students had massive gaps in their knowledge. Just 31% could identify James Madison as the Father of the Constitution, and only 28% knew that the 13th Amendment freed slaves. They might be college educated, but they sure are ignorant.

How the government functions is apparently a big blind spot, too.

60% of students failed to identify the length of congressional terms. Less than a third (32%) knew that an impeachment trial takes place before the Senate — and that’s “despite living through two recent presidential impeachment trials,” as ACTA points out.

They also appear not to know who is in charge, either.

27% could identify Kamala Harris as the president of the Senate (28% incorrectly said Joe Biden). Just 37% knew John Roberts is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and a mere 35% knew Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House. 

According to ACTA, the results are “alarming” and reveal a “dangerous level of civic illiteracy” that “should concern all Americans.”

They’re entirely right. 

College students might be proficient in gender ideology and critical race theory, but they are flunking on the most important topic of all: responsible citizenship.

We’ve long known that civics education in our K-12 system is absolutely dismal. According to the Nation’s Report Card, just 22% of American eighth graders are proficient in civics, and worse yet just 13% are proficient in basic level US history.

That’s a hugely disappointing failure of our educational system — and one that colleges and universities should be working tirelessly to close.

Instead, they’ve abdicated the responsibility to inculcate even the most basic knowledge required to be an informed and engaged citizen.

“It should not be possible to get a bachelor’s degree without learning the basics of American history and government, but this is the norm,” ACTA Vice President of Policy Bradley Jackson said in a statement about the survey. “[Colleges] must lead the way toward a renewal of civic education, rather than aggravating polarization and flattening our discourse with illiberal ideology.”

Between all the core curriculum requirements and new student orientations that colleges foist upon their students, surely there should also be room to ensure that kids are ready to engage in our democratic process once they leave campus gates.

But colleges seem more intent on instilling woke ideology than civic literacy — creating a graduating class filled with more agitated activists than informed citizens.

This next generation of students are living through a tense moment in the American story, between mass rioting, historical polarization, and now even assassination attempts.

They should be more informed and engaged than ever. History is being written before their eyes. Their votes could determine the future of their nation. How in the world, then, are they so woefully uninformed?

Students in higher education are supposed to be the most educated of our populace. If even our degree-holding citizens are failing on such a fundamental level, our future is dim.

We should be demanding better of our colleges and universities. It’s time to overhaul their priorities. 

Civic literacy should be the absolute minimum requirement of a college education. Instead, it’s a massive blindspot.

---

This appeared in The New York Post on July 16, 2024