[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 123 (Friday, July 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 6525, THE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT 
                                  ACT

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, last week I introduced the 
American History and Civic Achievement Act to renew our national 
commitment to teaching history and civics in America's schools. This 
legislation is a companion to S. 1414, a bill authored by Senators 
Kennedy and Alexander, and it will help ensure that our schools 
maintain their important civic role in creating the next generation of 
engaged and informed citizens.
  Social studies education is a vital mission of our public schools. 
With our rapidly changing world and all the challenges we must face as 
an international community, it is more important than ever that 
children grasp basic concepts about history, civics, geography and 
economics. These core disciplines help students understand the world 
today and give them the ability to think about possibilities for making 
things better tomorrow.
  It is alarming that studies indicate that too many students do not 
know history and geography or understand basic facts about government 
and economics. According to the most recent National Assessment of 
Education Programs (NAEP) for U.S. History and Civics, nearly 75 
percent of eighth graders cannot explain the historical importance of 
the Declaration of Independence. Even more eighth graders do not know 
why America was involved in the Korean War or how the fall of the 
Berlin Wall affected U.S. foreign policy.
  These trends threaten the future vitality of our democracy. While we 
are making some progress thanks to the hard work of many history and 
civics teachers in classrooms across America, we must do more. 
Additionally, underfunding is prompting many school districts to cut 
resources for social studies instruction.
  H.R. 6525 takes important steps to improve social studies education 
by making changes to the National Assessment of Education Programs 
(NAEP). This continuing assessment, also known as ``The Nation's Report 
Card,'' can currently evaluate social studies subjects--but only ``to 
the extent time and resources allow.'' While social studies testing is 
on the NAEP schedule, it has recently been targeted for elimination due 
to funding challenges. My legislation protects this important study in 
several ways: Requires a national assessment of students in American 
history under the NAEP at least every four years; creates new 10-state 
pilots to assess history and civics under NAEP to provide quality 
information and comparable results across states for educators; 
provides funding to ensure a quality assessment.
  This legislation will allow more effective analysis of social studies 
in classrooms across America. The future of our democracy relies on 
having well-educated, highly skilled citizens with the ability to think 
critically, which is why I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

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