Take the National Geographic Global Literacy Survey!

National Geographic Survey ^

[arielb]

they aren't kids. they're 18 to 24 years old. Now that is scary

[breakem]

2 0

[Vidalia]

If it weren't for the Mexican youths, the U.S. would be dead last on this forth grade questionaire.

Makes ya real proud, don't it?

You dumb bastards at the NEA listening...?

[bootless]

I got the religion one wrong, too. Otherwise, 19/20

[BiffSchneider]

"The Taliban and al Qaeda movements were both based in Afghanistan"

Not strictly correct. Al Qaeda was based in other places before and after, etc.

"City G is the westernmost city on this map"

The gap between Mexico and the other countries is huge. I (non-sarcastically) wonder why?

"Japan is shown by the number 17"

Mexico and the UK beat the U.S. on that one.

Only about half those in the UK and Japan could locate MX.

The U.S. failed to find Italy, other countries didn't do so bad.

Only the Swedes and the Germand know where Sweden is.

While the U.S. is generally near the bottom, and is only saved from being in last place by Mexico, the other countries don't seem to be populated by too many brain surgeons either.

[col kurz]

19 out of 20. News propaganda led me to believe that Islam had more members, overlooked South America..

[fleur-de-lis]

19 out of 20. News propaganda led me to believe that Islam had more members, overlooked South America..


Mee too!

[martin_fierro]

Hey, that was the only one I missed, too! <|:)~

[Axenolith]

Sheesh, Its hard for me to believe the majority of 6th graders couldn't ace that... Note how none of the correct geography answers have any close by #'s as possibilities, you've really gotta be SWAGing to get one wrong...

[truth_seeker]

This American of Swedish ancestry, with a wife of Italian ancestry (we once lived in Germany) scored 20 of 20.

I know from life experience that European kids are better educated, than ours in the US, which is sad.

This survey ought to put to rest the "dumb Swede" label.

[Hemlock]

20 out of 20. Big friggin' deal.

[nightdriver]

Hey, I thought I was doing OK with my 20/20 score until the rest of you FReepers startred saying how easy it was. Now all the air is out of my balloon!

[kayak]

Pretty sad when a higher percentage of Mexicans, Canadians, and Frogs (of all people) than our own school children can pick out the US.

That struck me, too. Also, a question that got one of the highest scores from Americans was "which region exports the most oil?"

..... Might 'rat and media propaganda have something to do with the high scores there? They are constantly promoting the idea that the only reason for attacking Iraq is because we want their oil.

[VMI70]

"They are constantly promoting the idea that the only reason for attacking Iraq is because we want their oil."

It may be me, but I haven't seen much talk about that, anywhere, except as an aside. No, I think the reason they know it is that Iraq and the rest of the Mideast is in the headlines every single day, and I'll bet their teachers and parents are working it over also. It is highly likely that we are going to take over Iraq. The conflict may turn very ugly--WMD, Israeli involvement; and I can easily see where it could spawn WW III.

This is heavy duty stuff which is bandied about the dinner table at night. Children pick up on that, and that is why I think those are the reasons for their knowing the answer. The agitprop about stealing their oil gets lost in the clutter.

[Momma Lou]

The religion question was the only one I missed.

[Pookie Me]

So much for my Geography Degree... I missed the religion question.. Shoulda remembered about all them furriners SOUTH of the border, and should have way totally fergot 'bout them teeming hordes, the yellow peril by that really big river that overflows a lot... Oh yeah, and the country that stole our vital nuclear secrets...

AND NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, I AM RIGHT! I THINKS THE COMMIES ARE UNDERREPORTING THEIR NUMBERS!!!

And all so that they'll survive the nuke blasts from those cute little mushroom clouds we make to kill the billion we think are there, but instead, there are a lot more, and at night they'll attack! Really! In fact, I thinks the NGS is in cahoots with the red chinese to continue the myth!!!!!

Pookie & ME

[Stavka2]

Well, it's obvious the Swedes have the best education system around...should take a look. The fact that only 89% of US kids knew where the US was is scary, as well as the fact that only 29% of Mexicans knew which was was West...but they all know North...hmmm.

[JudyB1938]

>If it weren't for the Mexican youths, the U.S. would be dead last on this forth grade questionaire.<

Yes, but did you consider one reason our test scores might have been low is because so many of those "Mexican Youths" have drifted our way and into OUR schools? I wonder what the scores would have been had ONLY CITIZENS been allowed to be tested?

[Stavka2]

How about this: instead of blaiming the demos and the media, etc, lets lay the blame where it really belongs: The American Parent....because face it folks, it's up to the parent to continue the education of the child after school, to make sure homework is done correctly and that any holes are filled in. When Parents are too wrapped up in their must do lives and let TV and others do the parenting for them, what the hell do you expect? This isn't just geography, this is all education, except maybe Communication and Polisci degrees.

[Stavka2]

10% more Mexicans knew where their country was then Americans....pathetic.