What If All Americans Took the Citizenship Test?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced a more challenging civics test for immigrants seeking citizenship. The new test includes questions like naming five of America's original states and explaining the significance of the Federalist Papers.
A Double Standard?
While this might seem like a way to make it harder for immigrants to become citizens, it raises an important question: Why don't we expect current citizens to know this information?
The State of Civics Education in America
Research shows that many American students struggle with basic history and civics knowledge.
- In 2022, only 14% of eighth graders scored proficiently on a national history test.
- 40% fell below basic.
This isn't a new problem. Even in 1986, many 17-year-olds didn't understand key historical events like the Civil War or the reasons behind Jim Crow laws.
Historical Struggles in Education
Some believe education was better in the past, but historical records show students have always struggled with history.
- During World War II, historian Allan Nevins noted that students could identify the Stamp Act but not the Molasses Act.
This suggests that our expectations for historical knowledge have always been low.
Why History Matters
Knowing history is crucial for understanding current events and issues.
- Understanding Jim Crow laws is key to grasping why race is such a central issue in American life today.
- Knowing about the Abbasid caliphate can foster tolerance for Muslims.
Beyond Facts: Democratic Citizenship
Education for democratic citizenship involves more than just memorizing facts. It includes:
- Learning to debate respectfully.
- Accepting different opinions.
- Participating in democracy.
Many schools offer civic exercises like Model Congress, which is a positive development. However, many schools also fail to teach students the basic facts they need to understand American history and government.
The Problem with Generalizable Skills
Some schools focus on teaching generalizable cognitive skills rather than specific historical facts.
- Illinois's high school history and civics standards are very brief and lack specific details.
- This approach can make it difficult for students to analyze historical events from different perspectives.
Exemplary Education Models
Some schools do a good job of teaching history and civics.
- "Classical" schools expect students to read and memorize serious works of history, literature, and philosophy.
- These schools believe that memory leads to knowledge, which in turn leads to thinking and creativity.
The 1795 Naturalization Act and Citizenship
The 1795 Naturalization Act required prospective citizens to demonstrate their attachment to the principles of the Constitution. This led to the development of the civics test still used today.
The test captures an essential feature of citizenship in the United States: citizens have the power to shape their country based on their understanding of its principles and history.
If we believe that is true, we cannot expect more knowledge from newcomers and less from our current citizens.
