National test results show fewer than one-fourth of students are `` proficient '' in American history . The U.S. Department of Education has been criticized for its lack of action on the issue. At the memorial in Washington , students who saw the president 's image on a postcard identified the tall , bearded man as Lincoln . Educators say history teaches students how to research and make well-informed decisions . Students say history teaching should be reframed , made more fun .
National test results show fewer than one-fourth of students are `` proficient '' in American history . The U.S. Department of Education has been criticized for its lack of action on the issue. Educators say history teaches students how to research and make well-informed decisions . Students say history teaching should be reframed , made more fun .