K-12 geography proficiency has not improved since 1994.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an important report last week that underscores the need for funding K-12 geography education in the United States. The Association of American Geographers (AAG) provided substantial input to GAO during their process of developing this report.
"The GAO report is another clarion call for the need to support geography education in the U.S.," said AAG Executive Director Douglas Richardson. "Geography is integral to nearly all aspects of life today, ranging from our economy to our foreign policy."
AAG President Sarah Bednarz added, “This important and timely study reinforces our efforts to promote the importance of K-12 geography education in preparing American students for rapidly-growing job fields.”
The report includes a U.S. Department of Labor projection that the employment of specialists in geography, or geographers, is expected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022—much faster than the average 11 percent growth for all occupations.
According to a statement from GAO, "The growing use of geographic information and location-based technology across multiple sectors of the American economy has prompted questions about whether K-12 students' skills and exposure to geography are adequate for current and future workforce needs." GAO conducted this study pursuant to a provision outlined in Senate Report 113-71, which calls for "GAO to report on the status of geography education and challenges elementary and secondary schools face in providing geography education with limited resources."
The report's cover letter to U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Patty Murray emphasized that, "Geographic information and geospatial, or location-based, technologies are growing sectors of the American economy, influencing almost every facet of modern life, from tracking lost cell phones to monitoring disease outbreaks like Ebola. The emergence of these technologies has increased demand for workers who can analyze and interpret geographic information. Research suggests that K-12 education is critically important for learning the fundamentals of geography, which is the study of places and the relationship between people and their environment."
The study's findings validate the importance of the AAG Resolution Supporting K-12 Geography Education, which demonstrates the need for funding for K-12 geography as part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The resolution has been endorsed by four former U.S. Secretaries of State; four former Defense Secretaries; 24 bipartisan incumbent Governors; and over 25 Fortune 500 companies. It can be accessed at: http://www.aag.org/resolution.
FULL STORY: AAG Newsletter
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.