Study: Teens blank on Constitution Day (this is sort of a stupid article)

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By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer Mon Sep 17, 12:54 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Constitution Day is here and many teenagers know little about commemorating the document's signing.

A study being released Monday by a foundation that focuses on journalism and the First Amendment found that 51 percent of high school students questioned had not heard of the day when they are required by law to learn about the Constitution.

The occasion is usually observed on or around Sept. 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787.

Just one in 10 students could remember how his high school marked the day last year, according to the study, paid for by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Miami.

Eric Newton, vice president of the foundation's journalism program, said he worries that an entire generation may lack a solid understanding of the document that governs America's democracy.
...
Constitution Day was created by Congress in 2004. It was the brainchild of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. The law requires any school and college receiving federal money to teach about the Constitution on or about Sept. 17.

Schools can determine the kind of educational program, but they must hold one each year.

Boston University this year will distribute Constitution Day bookmarks and host Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, for a lecture. Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, will hand out pocket copies of the Constitution and serve patriotic meals colored in red, white and blue in the school cafeteria.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070917/ap_on_go_co/constitution_day_schools

I mean, c'mon - the thing was just enacted 2 years ago. I have never heard of it either. I don't object to it, but I can't say it was well-publicized. And making red, white, and blue "patriotic meals"? Served with "freedom fries" perhaps? Making red, white, and blue meals don't teach you about the Constitution. At best it teaches you to be patriotic, no matter what, and we see where that message has gotten us. If you're going to teach the Constitution, then teach the frickin' Constitution (which, frankly, I think needs to be taught).

[hobbit709]

1. Back in the late 60s or early 70s

A group went around with petition forms that at the top had the Preamble to the Constitution printed in modern text on top and asked people to sign if they agreed with the words-you know, the "We the people" part. Half the people they asked refused, calling it "Communist Propaganda"

[Tab]

2. I'm not surprised

The ignorance of many of my fellow Americans never fails to amaze me.

[Klukie]

3. My local paper has a really good...

write up on Constitution day today. I also was unaware of it. I am very surprised at the angle they took with it. They had a great underlying theme of use it or lose it. They profiled the thoughts of a local government teacher, a judge and a lawyer. I am pleasantly surprised with their writing on the subject. The government teacher requires her students to read Orwell's "1984" at the start of the year. Can't argue with that! The judge stated that he is worried about our constitution at this point in time due to terrorism.