There is a vital need for advocacy in the area of Geography Education. A poll conducted in 2006, National Geographic-Roper ASW poll (PDF) , identified a ”lack of basic geographic knowledge among 18-24 year-old Americans—the most recent members of our educational system: 37% of young Americans can’t find Iraq on a map. One in three young Americans can’t place the state of Louisiana on a U.S. map…after Hurricane Katrina. Three in four Americans think English is the most commonly spoken native language in the world…it’s Mandarin Chinese by a landslide.”  (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foundation/policy_initiative.html) 

Despite the fact that the NCLB Act names Geography as a core academic subject, the federal budget does not currently appropriate funding towards Geography Education.  In response to this issue, National Geographic, Geography professionals,  and congressional leaders, have established an alliance and grassroots campaign, The Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act, to notify lawmakers of the need for funding for Geography Education.  The Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act was introduced to Congress on March 1st, 2007.  It has remained at that stage of policy making.  Please take a moment to make your mark and let policymakers know that this is an important issue in education:

1.         Visit http://MyWonderfulWorld.org

2.         On the Web site’s left-hand index, select the link to “Notify Your Lawmakers”

3.         When prompted, just enter your Zip code and the Web site will walk you through the rest!

(Please customize your email by noting how long you have been teaching, why geography is important to you, and how workshops and institutes have helped you and your students, etc.)

To learn more about TGIF initiatives visit:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foundation/policy_initiative.html

National Geographic’s Advice on how to get involved:

What You Can Do To Help

1. Support the TGIF legislation.

a. Write to your Senators and Representatives and tell them that teaching geography is fundamental. Ask them to support reintroduction of TGIF and to co-sponsor the bill, and to support the inclusion of TGIF in the No Child Left Behind reauthorization.

b. Check this page frequently for the latest updates on the bill.

2. Get active in your schools.

a. Download My Wonderful World’s self-assessment tool (PDF) to find out if your school is ‘geography ready.’

b. Download My Wonderful World’s PTA Action Kit (PDF) to approach school administrators, teachers, and parents and ask them to make teaching geography a priority.

3. Bring the world into your home and community. Incorporate geographic learning into your life every day. Download My Wonderful World’s Family Activities (PDF) and Top 10 Tips (PDF) for more ideas.

4. Visit MyWonderfulWorld.org for more geography resources and information, and join this National Geographic-led campaign.

5. Tell your friends and community members to support geography education and refer them to this site.