More than memorizing maps, geography is about the relationship between people and the environment. Fighting the spread of Ebola? Geography helps anticipate possible transmission from one place to another. Growing a business? Geography can help identify the best store locations. Yet three-quarters of 8th grade students weren’t proficient in the subject in 2014.

Listen to Jackie Nowicki, a director in our Education, Workforce, and Income Security team, discuss her team’s recent review of geography education in U.S. schools.