Many middle school and high school students across the country lack civic knowledge, according to results released Wednesday in a national civics examination. But Northwestern students may be more civically knowledgeable than the average student, students and faculty said.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress found that 75 percent of high school seniors could not demonstrate knowledge of civic skills, such as identifying congressional powers granted by the Constitution. The exam also showed that less than half of American eighth-graders understood the purpose of the Bill of Rights, and only 10 percent showed knowledge of the checks and balances system among the three branches of government.
“It’s a reflection of the education system, as well as growing apathy among young people and people in general about issues that matter,” said Communication senior Elisa Redish, an undergraduate fellow for NU’s Center for Civic Engagement. “It’s easy to get caught up with your own world … people will do things like go on Facebook instead of The New York Times (website).”
Political science Prof. Andrew Roberts said the results of this examination do not surprise him because he has seen other studies with similar findings. But the director of Undergraduate Studies said he is always surprised by how much NU students know about the world.
“I’ve been impressed by students at Northwestern with their interest in international affairs,” Roberts said.
NU students may also be more knowledgeable because many NU students are from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, which tend to be better informed, he said.
The University also helps foster this civic knowledge, Roberts said.
“There’s mutual feedback there,” he said. “Students are interested in it, and for that reason, the University creates programs for that.”
These programs include a civic engagement certificate, an international studies major, a global health minor and Chicago Field Studies, which provides students with quarter-long internships.
Civic knowledge serves as a stepping stone for civic engagement, said Caitlyn Walsh, also an undergraduate fellow for NU’s Center for Civic Engagement.
“The next step is to be civically engaged, to take that knowledge and responsibility as a citizen to give back to your community,” the Bienen senior said. “You have to know your rights as an American citizen. If you’re going to be civically engaged, it’s important to know a little about everything.”
Civic knowledge affects engagement in government reform and voter education and registration, and NU is an amalgam of students who are apathetic and students who are very civically engaged, Redish said.
Still, NU student voter turnout in the November 2010 elections was low, with only 70 voters at one of three facilities set up for voting.
“People can whine and moan, ‘We’re not doing this’ or ‘We’re not doing that,’ but if you don’t go out and vote or write a letter to elected officials about it, there’s nothing. You really don’t have the right to complain,” Redish said. “Civic engagement is people taking their opinions into their own hands.”
