Citizenship Civics Test to Change/W.H. wants 'more meaningful' exam

[kskiska]

Washington -- The Bush administration has decided to revamp the civics test that hundreds of thousands of prospective citizens each year must pass to become Americans, and is developing a new exam, officials said Thursday.

President Bush alluded to the effort in his speech last week on immigration reform, and this week the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services convened a two-day conference of more than 100 immigrant advocates and academics at a hotel here to discuss the principles for change and its implications.

The current test has long been criticized as a random collection of unrelated details that conveys little of the significance of citizenship. But efforts to change it elicit concern from immigrant advocates, who fear a new test could become a barrier to citizenship.

(snip)

A question on the current test asks, "What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?" A hypothetical question on the new test might be, "What does the Bill of Rights mean for you?" said another official.

more…
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/16/MNGOM4BG5R1.DTL

[mbperrin]

1. Will start with personal oath of loyalty to der *Bushler

no doubt!

[Newsjock]

2. "What is the minimum hourly wage you are willing to work for?"

a. $8.00
b. $5.15
c. $3.50
d. $1.25

Does George W. Bush support equality for all Americans?
a. Boo
b. Hoo
c. None of the above

[necso]

3. The example question:

"What does the Bill of Rights mean for you?" is complete BS. How do you grade it? Why don't we just let the WH hand pick who gets to become citizens --- or what citizens get to become noncitizens --- no wait, aren't we already doing that?

[NV1962]

4. Not entirely true

The question "What does the Bill of Rights mean for you?" can be graded, because the 100% correct answer is: "Zilch, until I pass this test; after that, not much more."

Additional points for creativity may be awarded to the answer "Bill o' Rights' Rehnquist means to a value somewhere between Antonin 'godfather' Scalia and Clarence 'uncle' Thomas."

[Wwagsthedog]

5. Reminds me of the literacy tests and poll tax requirements to vote

nt

[Betty]

6. Think bush could even answer one question correctly?

I can't imagine he could tell you what's in even one of the first ten amendments of the constitution... well, maybe he's aware of the second amendment, if any.