Mix of politics and COVID crush students' history scores

New data out this week revealed dismal scores by eighth graders on a national U.S. history test. Experts are pointing to a devastating combination of polarization over school curriculums and pandemic disruptions.

Why it matters: The test results — showing an all-time low score in history and a first-ever decline in civics — paint a troubling picture of how much America's youth know about their own country.

"How can we really engage in these conversations, when the tension is there before you even pick up the book and open the...