Redcoats at the Battle of the Bulge?

LITTLE ROCK — America has come a long way since its humble beginnings-and we have much to be thankful for. Sandra Day O’Connor is the current chief justice of the Supreme Court. 1944’s Battle of the Bulge was a successful endeavor during the Revolutionary War. And the “Father of the Constitution” was . . . Benjamin Franklin?

Something’s wrong here.

Those were among the incorrect answers given in a recent American history survey of college graduates. So let’s take a break from looking for creative ways to serve leftover turkey and remember also that many college students are starving from a lack of American history knowledge.

The recent Roper survey found that only 57 percent of college graduates knew John Roberts is the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Less than one fifth could identify James Madison as the “Father of the Constitution.” Perhaps worst of all, just 42 percent knew the Battle of the Bulge was fought during World War II. And this is from a multiple choice survey-among college graduates!

If it’s true that history repeats itself, at least our college graduates won’t have to worry about déjà vu.

It may not be necessary for students to memorize that Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth president or that the 5’4” James Madison was the shortest. But to graduate from an American college without a basic grasp of our history leaves us poorly prepared to face America’s many challenges. Such historical illiteracy also is an insult to the men and women who formed our nation, and defended her since.

But the ignorance should not surprise us. A nationwide study of more than 1,000 colleges and universities found that 80 percent of our colleges don’t require students to take even a single foundational course in American history. More than 85 percent don’t require students to study foreign language. And despite the state of the global economy, only five percent of our colleges require even a basic economics course.

Educational specialization is important. But in a nation that relies on an educated citizenry, shouldn’t Americans have a basic core of understanding-a shared knowledge to unite us as a people? Today, when more college graduates can identify Lady Gaga as a musical artist than George Washington as the general at Yorktown, that shared foundation is surely lacking.

Employers are concerned too. Fully 87 percent believe that our colleges must raise the quality of students’ educations in order for the United States to remain competitive globally, according to the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

It’s a serious case of academic irresponsibility. College costs are rising dramatically-tuitions have more than quadrupled in the past 25 years-yet colleges are failing to provide our students with the educational foundation they deserve and our country needs.

There are further implications.Young people have voted in record numbers in the last two presidential elections, yet more than 60 percent in the survey couldn’t identify term lengths of senators and representatives for which they cast ballots.

The box office hit Lincoln is making millions-and for good reason. Not only is it a phenomenal story of one of the most critical periods of American history, but it may actually be new material to many college graduates.

After all, only 17 percent knew the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Daniel Burnett is the press secretary at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a higher education nonprofit committed to academic excellence.