The Intercollegiate Studies Institute released the results of their American Civic Literacy Test. Students from 50 colleges nationwide, including top Ivy League schools, failed a test of their knowledge of American history and economics. The average score (14,000 college students took the test) was 54% or an F.
I’d have to agree with Scott Casper, who teaches history at the University of Nevada, Reno. Casper said “memorizing historical dates and other information doesn’t give students insight into democracy as much as learning how to think and question.”  (Read the Gazette Journal article.)  And where exactly does that happen?

This is a multiple choice test. Even if you don’t know the answer, with some basic knowledge, or in some cases logic, you can eliminate some of the answers - and have a pretty good shot at passing.

The story claims the “students who gain more knowledge about civics and history are more likely to vote and take part in social and political activities.” If this test is anything like what students find in a civics classroom (and how boring does that sound already?), then I don’t think more classes will get young people engaged.

Projects like Rock The Vote are an interesting start, but I think people are more likely to get engaged if they feel like they are making a real difference.  It’s a tough sell.

And I’ll be very interested to see how Nevada’s experiment in getting involved in the Presidential selection process turns out.  Planned Parenthood is organizing its activists to get to the caucuses.  Unions are as well.  But we haven’t seen any presidential candidates in a while.  We’ll see how it all turns out.

September, the start of the traditional performing arts season, is filled with opportunity for the art. UNR Performing Arts Series kicks off with the Ethos Percussion Group on September 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at Nightingale Hall. Devoted to the incredibly diverse world of percussion music. Later in September, T.S. Monk appears at the Pioneer Center on the 26th to kick off the Washoe County Concert Series.   Drummer T.S. Monk just released Higher Ground, is launching his own label, and is the chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute. Get ready for some incredible music!

At the Nevada Museum of Art, hot off the playa, Kate Raudenbush’s Guardian of Eden.

The Gazette covers its installation at the Museum.  I think this beautiful piece will be a welcome addition downtown.

Back to school is traditionally the time when the performing arts launch their seasons.  This year, the Reno Philharmonic opens their season with Joy & Passion.  You’re already an expert; you’ll know Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

The Reno Chamber Orchestra kicks off with Wings & Strings, a fund-raising gala at the Grand Sierra Resort, Thursday, September 13th at 5:30 p.m.  Of course, this event ties into the Reno National Championship Air Racing Show.

First the balloons, then the air planes.  You know it’s fall in Reno.

Although we’ve had a REALLY dry summer, winter’s coming.  Actually, flood season can arrive before winter officially does.

To help the community get ready, the Truckee River Flood Project partners will be hosting a Flood Expo.  This year’s event is set for Wednesday, November 7th, 2-7 p.m. at the Wilbur May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Park.

September is National Preparedness Month. In Nevada, that means we’re leaving fire season and will soon be entering flood season. This would be a good month to put together an emergency kit and make a plan. Washoe County Emergency Management provides the basics for individuals and businesses.

Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway has been promoting the concept of using Southern Nevada Public Lands Management funds to create an endowment that would pay for fuels management at Lake Tahoe. As much as I’d like to see SNPLMA money used for key land acquisitions (see: flood project), a Nevada only endowment for land management may be an excellent use of a portion of these dollars. And I’m sure the idea will be more favorably received after the Angora fire. Course, it might make this pot of cash all that much more tempting to the feds too.

To address flooding, the Flood Project Coordinating Committee is working on Truckee River Action (TRaction) Projects designed to provide flood protection in specific areas (without harming anyone as we wait for the entire project to be built. Several are being studied and designed including relocating the North Truckee drain, which will greatly benefit Sparks, and protecting homes in Hidden Valley. Now is the time to get involved, especially if you’re interested in these specific projects.

This year marks the Nevada Opera’s 40th season … making them the oldest professional performing arts organization in Nevada. The Anniversary Concert October 5th is a great intro to opera — it’ll feature Michael Borowitz (who is an amazing talent and we are SO lucky to have him) and all of the best of opera. Click here to see him in action. Everything you already know from Bugs Bunny and Bad News Bears and completely improbably, Grand Theft Auto ads. A little Youtube research and you can be a total expert!