107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 451
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas gaining a sense of history is a gradual and cumu-
lative process, and history education should therefore
begin at the early stages of a student’s classroom experi-
ence and continue to develop throughout a student’s en-
tire educational career and beyond;
Whereas when students study United States history they be-
come familiar with the development and expansion of the
•HCON 451 EH
country, which enables them to better understand the
present relationship between the United States and other
countries and to anticipate future international inter-
action;
Whereas when students have a foundation of basic United
States history they can better understand their roles and
responsibilities as citizens of the United States and as a
part of the global community;
Whereas the National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP) United States History Assessment of 2001
found that 89 percent of high school seniors, 84 percent
of 8th graders, and 82 percent of 4th graders scored
below ‘‘proficient’’ levels;
Whereas the results of the 1998 National Assessment of
Educational Progress Civics Assessment showed that 77
percent of all 4th graders sampled scored below ‘‘pro-
ficient’’ levels and showed similar results for 8th and
12th graders, with approximately three-fourths of stu-
dents at both grade levels scoring below ‘‘proficient’’ lev-
els;
Whereas the 1998 National Assessment of Educational
Progress Civics Assessment showed that one-third of 4th
graders could not explain the meaning of ‘‘I pledge alle-
giance to the flag’’ on a multiple-choice test and a major-
ity of 4th graders could not answer why ‘‘citizens elect
people to make laws for them’’ in a democracy;
Whereas in 1999, the United States placed 6th in the Inter-
national Civic Education (CivEd) Study, a study of 27
countries sponsored by The National Center for Edu-
cation Statistics (NCES) designed to tap the civic knowl-
•HCON 451 EH
edge and skills of 14-year-olds and their attitudes toward
democracy and citizenship;
Whereas according to the CivEd study, 12 percent of stu-
dents in the United States reported never or hardly ever
studying history in school, and the majority of 9th grad-
ers typically spent less than one hour per week doing his-
tory homework;
Whereas according to the Center for Survey Research and
Analysis, fewer than half of the seniors surveyed at top
universities across the United States can identify crucial
events in United States history;
Whereas distinguished historians and intellectuals fear that
without a common civic memory and common under-
standing of the remarkable individuals, events, and ideals
that have shaped the Nation, people in the United States
risk losing much of what it means to be an American, as
well as the ability to fulfill the fundamental responsibil-
ities of citizens in a democracy; and
Whereas citizens who lack knowledge of United States history
will also lack an understanding and appreciation of the
democratic principles that define and sustain the Nation
as a free people, such as liberty, justice, government by
consent of the governed, and equality under the law:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes the importance of teaching
United States history and civics in elementary and
secondary schools;
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(2) expresses concern regarding the lack of
basic understanding of United States history among
students of all levels in the United States; and
(3) strongly supports efforts to promote the
value of education in United States history and to
ensure that students in the United States graduate
from high school with a significant understanding of
United States history and civics.
Passed the House of Representatives October 1,
2002.
Attest:
Clerk.