WASHINGTON -- More students are learning the basics when it comes to history and civics, but they aren't rising to the next level, national tests show.
The history and civics tests were given to students nationwide in the fourth, eighth and 12th grades last year.
No local schools were selected by the federal Department of Education to take the test this year.
Michael Race, deputy press secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, said that districts are selected randomly, and then another random selection is made among classes within each selected school. "Pennsylvania has 100 percent participation of the selected schools since 2002, because of Senate Bill 485 of 2001 that requires participation if selected."
But the national tests show history scores increased in all three grades over 2001, the last time that subject was tested. Only fourth-graders showed progress since the last civics test, given in 1998. None of the grades saw an increase in students moving beyond a basic competency for either subject.
The Washington-based Center on Education Policy reported last year that a third of elementary school districts reported cutting back on time for social studies, which includes history and civics. However, a recent government study showed increases in social studies credits being earned by high schoolers.
Some officials say the extra attention on reading may explain the gains on history and civics tests.
The progress in history and civics was made by students working at the lowest levels, meaning there have been significantly more students working at or above the basic level than in the past. But there has been no increase in students working at or above the "proficient" level since the last time the tests were given.
Although local schools did not participate in the civics test, all do teach civics in compliance with the Pennsylvania Code of 2003, which set academic standards.
"We observe the civics standards at all grade levels," said Bill Wilson, director of elementary education and federal programs with the Connellsville Area School District.
Michael Picarsic, director of elementary and secondary education with the Mt. Pleasant Area School District, said the district follows state standards with civics education.
Kenneth Meadows, elementary principal of the Frazier School District, said the district uses state standards to shape its civics classes.
The Laurel Highlands School District also teaches civics in accord with state standards, said Gary Brain, director of secondary curriculum.
Civics is not yet a part of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments tests, used to comply with the testing portion of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Currently, students are tested in reading and math.
Some critics of No Child Left Behind say the law has focused educators' attention on students at the lower end of the spectrum at the expense of students working at higher levels.
