EDUCATION

Nearly three-quarters of eighth-graders tested below proficient in geography on the Nation’s Report Card. Now a new study suggests some reasons why. (U.S. News and World Report)

The new government report relied heavily on our own Road Map Project—click here to learn more about the road map for large-scale improvement of K-12 geography education.

Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit.

Discussion Ideas

• According to the GAO report analyzed in the U.S. News article, what are some reasons U.S. students may not be proficient in geography?
  • “A key challenge to providing geography education is the increased focus on other subjects . . . including the tested subjects of reading, math, and science.”
  • Geography is not a required subject in most states. According to U.S. News, “only 17 states required a geography course in middle school and 10 states required a geography course for students to graduate from high school.”
  • Most geography instruction is incorporated in social studies classes, and social studies teachers reported spending only 10% of their time teaching geography. History, civics/government, and economics are often prioritized.

 

• How did the GAO conduct its survey?
  • The GAO:
    • reviewed relevant federal laws, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA);
    • analyzed Department of Education data on student proficiency and instruction time in geography;
    • interviewed education officials in four states selected, in part, for varying K-12 geography requirements;
    • reviewed key studies and research reports;
    • interviewed agency officials and researchers from the following organizations: National Geographic Society, Association of American Geographers, National Council for Geographic Education, American Geographic Society, National Council for Social Studies, National Science Teachers Association, Council of Chief State School Officers, Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education, the RAND Corporation, and Esri.
    • leveraged a professional association to identify and interview 10 K-12 teachers.

 

• According to the GAO, why does geography proficiency matter?
  • Jobs. “According to the Department of Labor, employment of specialists in geography, or geographers, is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022—much faster than the average 11 percent growth for all occupations. As we recently reported, the federal government collects, maintains, and uses technology that depends on geography to support national security, law enforcement, health care, environmental protection, and natural resources conservation. Among the many activities that can depend on analysis of geospatial data are maintaining roads and other critical transportation infrastructures, quickly responding to natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and fires, and tracking endangered species.”
    • Want more examples of what you can do with geography? Watch our video or read this blog post by one of our favorite geographers.

 

• Take a look at the title and photo used in the U.S. News article, then take a look through the GAO report. Why might some people think the title and photo are misleading?
  • “There is a common misconception about what geography entails, according to officials we interviewed and relevant reports we reviewed. Even key education stakeholders such as teachers, principals, and parents mistakenly think geography education involves fact-based memorization”—labeling places on maps.

 

• So if geography isn’t finding places on maps, what is it?
  • So glad you asked! Take a look through our fun, free, downloadable cartoon to get the geospatial perspective.
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• OK, I’m ready to start incorporating geography into my class! Where do I start?
  • Well, you could do worse than browse through our website, NatGeoEd.org!
  • If that overwhelms you, take a look at our Daily Ideas—ten ideas every day to get anyone started with geography and geographic thinking. From standards-aligned lessons to short-and-sweet videos to This Day in Geographic History, it’s all here.
  • Join your Alliance! These state-based organizations connect educators, provide world-class professional development, and promote educational innovation at the state and local levels.
  • Take some tips from our community of educators—and nominate someone you know to be our Educator of the Week!
  • Get ready to celebrate Geography Awareness Week next month (November 15-21)! The theme is “Explore! The Power of Maps”, and we can get you started with activities, handouts, and generally fun how-to guides.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, the GAO report references National Geographic, particularly the educational efforts of the National Geographic Society, Geography Awareness Week, The Road Map Project, and our encyclopedic definitions of GIS and GPS.

TEACHERS’ TOOLKIT

U.S. News and World Report: U.S. Students Are Really Bad at Geography

United States Government Accountability Office: Most Eighth Grade Students Are Not Proficient in Geography (listen to a short podcast on the report here!)

Nat Geo: The Road Map Project

Nat Geo: What is Geography?

Nat Geo: What Can You Do With Geography?

Nat Geo: Geography—What Do You Do With That?

Nat Geo: Daily Ideas

Nat Geo: Network of Alliances for Geographic Education

Nat Geo: Educator Spotlight

Nat Geo: Celebrate Geography Awareness Week!

Nat Geo: Geography Awareness Week