Education
Education

Should college students be able to name the vice president and which side won the Civil War?

By Maureen Downey
Nov 11, 2014

In a new viral video, college students in Texas can't name the vice president or which side won the Civil War.

I saw the video after attending the Autumnal North Georgia Scholastic Tournament this weekend at the University of North Georgia. I was dazzled at what Georgia high school quiz teams knew, including the names of Eric Shinseki, former head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S Secretary of State in 1921, Charles Evans Hughes.

Then, I saw this video. I hoped it was a spoof, but apparently not.

The Texas Tech students who created the video took to YouTube and the student newspaper to defend charges they edited out right answers, telling the Daily Toreador 30 students were interviewed during the hour of filming and only two answered the questions correctly.

Clearly, many students at Texas Tech could have nailed these questions, but I would argue every college student should have been able to do so.

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

Follow Maureen Downey on facebookFollow Maureen Downey on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia State University president M. Brian Blake gives a media tour of renovations to the university’s campus in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. (Seeger Gray / AJC)

Credit: Seeger Gray / AJC

AJC ON CAMPUS

Hip-hop, video games, research investments and a reunion at Georgia colleges

Here’s what Georgia's colleges have been up to in this edition of AJC On Campus.

What Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Education Department means for Georgia

Although dissolving the U.S. Department of Education requires a vote from Congress, President Donald Trump's executive order requires the department to facilitate its closure.

Georgia has a shortage of school psychologists. Bill may be a ‘game changer’

A better way to hire out-of-state school psychologists and more mental health funding could be on the horizon for Georgia schools.

The Latest

Dr. Bob Hirsch (left) stands next to Hudson Higgins. Hirsch, a retired physician, delivered Higgins, 21, and they recently discovered their special connection in a class they are taking at Georgia Tech. (Courtesy of Madison Winston)

Credit: Madison Winston

AJC ON CAMPUS

Hip-hop, video games, research investments and a reunion at Georgia colleges

What Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Education Department means for Georgia

Georgia has a shortage of school psychologists. Bill may be a ‘game changer’

Featured

Parents and students arrive for the first day of school at Harmony Elementary School in Buford on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

What Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Education Department means for Georgia

Although dissolving the U.S. Department of Education requires a vote from Congress, President Donald Trump's executive order requires the department to facilitate its closure.

Starz picks up doc about legendary Atlanta strip club Magic City

“Magic City: An American Fantasy” explores the club’s influence on hip-hop over the decades.

Here’s Braves’ projected opening-day roster, barring late surprises

In recent days, the Braves have thinned their camp roster.