| Tuesday, December 02, 2008 |
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Leading American Founders understood that good institutions and laws, in the absence of an educated citizenry, will not sustain a decent and competent democratic order. As James Madison eloquently observed several years after the Constitutional Convention of 1787: ". . . the people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." Madison recognized that a modern republic of rights demands a citizen body that is up to the job of self-government; and, today, we also need a citizen body that is up to the job of preserving the competitiveness of the United States in the new global economy. Madison's attention to education, perhaps best reflected in his labors on behalf of the University of Virginia, constitutes a sober backdrop to one recent report that fifty percent of students at four-year colleges lack the skills to successfully complete "complex" literacy tasks. This survey, funded by the reputable Pew Charitable Trusts, should be a wake-up call for policy makers, parents and, indeed, all Americans. Thankfully, the results reported in the Pew-funded literacy survey are not indicative of the proficiency requirements enforced by every institution of higher learning in the United States. Students at Hampden-Sydney College, for example, must satisfy mandatory writing, math, Western Culture, science, and foreign language requirements in order to graduate. The writing requirement is especially rigorous and, as such, particularly useful to our young men. In addition to enrolling in two freshman-year classes that cover rules of grammar and essay writing, all students must pass a written proficiency exam during the second semester of their sophomore year. The College also requires students to complete four math and science classes as well as a three semester sequence in the history and culture of Western Civilization, and demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language. Hampden-Sydney does not hide these curricular demands from prospective students; rather we see them as a badge of honor, a source of distinction for a college that was founded during this country's fight for independence and that remains the oldest men's college in the country. As far as Hampden-Sydney is concerned, it would be a disservice to our students as well as the country to shrink from the task of insuring that every one of our graduates possesses the basic literacy skills needed to function as a thoughtful and productive citizen. As a twenty-nine year veteran of the teaching faculty and the director of the college's leadership and public affairs center, I have been the recipient of innumerable reports that confirm that students who possess good literacy skills really do 'hit the ground running,' and they do impress their colleagues and supervisors. Literacy must cover not only reading and computational skills, but substantive knowledge of the sort that enables a person to make intelligent judgments about social, political and economic issues that bear on our way of life. It is critically important, for example, that students appreciate what it means to live in a republic that is committed to the protection of fundamental natural rights. They need to understand the principles behind separating governmental power both vertically (federalism) and horizontally (separation of powers). As part of the 'sovereign body,' they also must be prepared to reflect intelligently on controversial public policy issues, especially policy proposals that impact the cultural foundations of our society. In this connection, today's undergraduates must be familiar with the opportunities and challenges that accompany innovations in modern science and technology. Students who are compelled to meet the requirements of a rigorous academic curriculum that includes significant mandatory coursework in history, government, and the sciences, alongside instruction in writing, mathematics, and languages, should be prepared to sustain democracy at home and meet the demands of an increasingly competitive world order. They will be this country's most important asset. The United States' preeminence in the world, as well as the quality of life of the American people, will be subjected to many challenges in the new century It is no exaggeration to say that it is more important than ever that young men and women possess the knowledge, imagination, and work ethic that will be needed to survive these challenges. There are many fine institutions of higher learning in the United States, and especially in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Even our elite colleges and universities, however, cannot take anything for granted. They have a moral as well as a patriotic responsibility to insure that all students are positioned to live satisfying and productive lives while helping this country preserve important national interests at home and abroad. If we have the 'will,' then we can find a way to make this happen. It obviously would be foolish to use reports of literacy deficiencies among college students to justify calls for the reinvention of American higher education. Nevertheless, these reports should be seen for what they really are: evidence that too many students, men as well as women, are navigating their way through educational programs without acquiring the basic skills and knowledge that they will need to be productive and contributing members of a democratic society. An educational philosophy that emphasizes self-discipline, pride in oneself and one's country, and the rewards of academic excellence, rather than the pursuit of immediate gratification or the advancement of trendy political causes, will go a long ways towards insuring the future well-being of the American people. David E. Marion is Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest at Hampden-Sydney College. He has assisted various national organizations with workshops for middle and high school teachers and has co-authored instructional materials for history and government teachers. |
