December 03, 2010

Lack of Civic Knowledge

Prepare to be shocked by the results of a simple test in civics given to a random sample of Americans. It points to a need for serious education reform. Then, what separates world-class performers in all fields from the rest of us? A leading journalist found a simple answer. Find out what it is.

Episode Segments:

InfoTrak: The Need to Raise Civic Knowledge Dr. Richard Brake is Director of the Division of University Stewardship at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization. He oultlines the results of his organizations study that found an alarming level of ignorance among Americans regarding basic civic knowledge.
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InfoTrak: Talent is Overrated Why do some people excel, while others don't? Some current research is beginning to debunk the myth of innate talent, and Geoff Colvin, author of Talent is Overrated believes that what really makes the difference is a highly specific kind of effort he calls "deliberate practice."
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InfoTrak: Blood Pressure Problems Dr. Kevin Fiscella, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Community & Preventive Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry discusses his groundbreaking research that found that the lives of nearly 8,000 black Americans could be saved each year if doctors could figure out a way to bring their average blood pressure down to the average level of whites.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Geoff Colvin FORTUNE senior editor-at-large Geoffrey Colvin is a leading thinker, writer, broadcaster, and speaker on today's most significant trends in business. As a longtime editor and columnist for FORTUNE, he has become one of America's sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership and management, the shareholder value imperative, corporate governance, the infotech revolution, and related issues. His recent work on America's competitiveness in the global economy has been particularly acclaimed. As a speaker, Colvin has engaged hundreds of audiences around the world.. He is the regular lead moderator of the Fortune Global Forum, and he serves as moderator for the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum in London. As co-anchor of Wall Street Week with Fortune on PBS for three years, Colvin spoke each week to the largest audience reached by any business television program in America. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, ABC's World News Tonight, and dozens of other programs. He is heard daily on the CBS Radio Network, where he has made more than 8,000 broadcasts. A native of Vermillion, South Dakota, Colvin is an honors graduate of Harvard with a degree in economics, and he holds an MBA from New York University's Stern School. Geoff's Website