Reading the Road Map for 21st Century Geography Education in the United States

ABSTRACT

Improving the quality of geography education in the United States became a primary purpose of project entitled ‘A Road Map for 21st Century Geography Education’, which was launched in 2010. This article provides an overview and critique of the Road Map project. The project description, undoubtedly of interest to educators and geographers in the United States, also offers insights which could be helpful in improving geography education in other countries. As Butt and Lambert recently stated, while political, cultural, social and philosophical traditions vary and cause geography education to ‘be expressed in different ways in different national settings’ (2014, p. 1), there is much to be gained from learning about the experiences of other countries. The critique reflects on the strengths of the Road Map project and raises concerns about the direction that geography education has taken in the United States. As this article shows, these will also be of potential help to those working for the improvement of geography education around the world.