Tennessee tops Mississippi in survey about US history knowledge

NASHVILLE – Most Tennesseans aren’t very good at U.S. history.

Or at least that’s the takeaway from a new survey by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, which surveyed 41,000 Americans about their knowledge of the subject.

Out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Tennessee ranked 17th in how well its residents know American history, according to the survey. It showed that 62 percent of the state’s residents earned an “F” on a multiple choice given by the foundation.

The good news for Tennessee is it topped Mississippi.

And changes have been put in place over the last several years to adjust what is required of Tennessee students. Since 2017, high school students must take a civics test and Tennessee has revamped its requirements on what is to be taught in social studies classes.

The survey, which has a margin of error of about one percent, says only four

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in 10 Americans passed the exam. And even in the highest performing state, the foundation found that only 53 percent of the people were able to earn a passing grade for U.S. history, according to the survey.

As well, only 27 percent of those under the age of 45 nationally were able to demonstrate a basic understanding of American history, according to the survey.

“Unfortunately, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation has validated what studies have shown for a century: Americans don’t possess the history knowledge they need to be informed and engaged citizens,” said Foundation President Arthur Levine in a news release about the survey.

The survey found only 15 percent of American adults could correctly note the year the U.S. Constitution was written and only 25 percent knew how many amendments there are to the document, according to a news release on the study.

And 25 percent did not know that freedom of speech was guaranteed under the First Amendment and 57 percent did not know that Woodrow Wilson was the commander in chief during World War I, the release says

“American history education is not working, as students are asked to memorize dates, events, and leaders, which the poll results shows are not retained in adulthood,” Levine said. “Based on our research, this is not an issue of whether high school history teachers are adequately prepared or whether kids study American history in school. The answer to both questions is yes. This is an issue of how we teach American history.”

Reach Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Byjasongonzales.