U.S. to Try Out New Citizenship Tests
By SUZANNE GAMBOA Associated Press Writer (2003.03)
WASHINGTON (AP) - To make it more uniform, changes are in the works for the test that asks would-be U.S. citizens about English, American history and other topics.
The Homeland Security Department on Thursday began a pilot project in five cities - Newark, N.J., San Antonio, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Calif., and Atlanta.
Applicants for citizenship are tested on their ability to read, write and speak English, as well as their knowledge of U.S. history and government. They are asked questions from an approved list, but each testing officer can decide which questions to ask.
As a result, the test varies depending on who is asking the questions and where the test is given, the department says.
Under the pilot project, immigrants who agree to participate will be asked a question designed for the revised test after their naturalization interview. The question will not count for or against their application for citizenship, according to the department’s citizenship and immigration services bureau said.
“Whether you’re a citizenship applicant in Sacramento or San Antonio, you should have the same set of expectations about what kind of test you will experience,” said Gerri Ratliff, director of the test redesign. “Not only is it a matter of fairness, but it will also help ensure that applicants come into the test fully prepared.”
The bureau hired a private test developing company, MetriTech Inc., to help.
A question on the history portion of the new test is: “Where were the 13 colonies located?” with four multiple choice answers. The answer is the East Coast of the United States.
The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform recommended in the 1990s that naturalization tests be standardized and their content made more relevant.
The National Association of Latino and Elected Officials Educational Fund supports bringing uniformity to citizenship testing, said Larry Gonzalez, the group’s Washington director.
But he said the organization is concerned that the trial runs are being done at offices with high Latino populations. That could make the test unfair for immigrants from other ethnic groups or with native languages other than Spanish.
“There’s still some stumbling, but we’re willing to give people the benefit of the doubt because we believe in the concept,” Gonzalez said. He said his group has asked the bureau to collect demographic information to ensure diversity among the participating interviewees.
Taiwan to Try Out New Citizenship Tests
By DUNCAN DORFELMYER Forumosa Press Writer
TAIPEI (AP) - To make it more uniform, changes are in the works for the test that asks would-be Taiwan citizens about Chinese, Taiwan history and other topics.
The Ministry of the Interior on Thursday is expected to begin a pilot project in five cities - Taipei, Hualien, Taichung, Pingtung, and Kaohsiung.
Applicants for citizenship are tested on their ability to read, write and speak Chinese, as well as their knowledge of Taiwan history and government. They are asked questions from an approved list, but each testing officer can decide which questions to ask.
As a result, the test varies depending on who is asking the questions and where the test is given, the department says.
Under the pilot project, immigrants who agree to participate will be asked a question designed for the revised test after their naturalization interview. The question will count for their application for citizenship, according to the ministry’s citizenship and immigration services bureau said. “Attitude is also important, as well as respect for the Chinese version of history,” it was noted.
“Whether you’re a citizenship applicant in Panchiao or Taitung, you should have the same set of expectations about what kind of test you will experience,” said Louisa Lin, director of the test redesign. “Not only is it a matter of fairness, but it will also help ensure that applicants come into the test fully prepared.”
The ministry hired a private test developing company, SinoNationTech Inc., to help.
A question on the history portion of the new test is: “What was the status of the ROC government after it moved operations to Taiwan in December 1949?” According to the official data, the correct answer is “the officially recognized government of China.” Ms. Lin noted that many applicants incorrectly replied: “An officially recognized government-in-exile.”
Another question asks “When was the sovereignty of Formosa and the Pescadores transferred to the ROC?” According to the official data, the correct answer is “October 25, 1945.” Ms. Lin noted that many applicants incorrectly replied: “There is no record of the transfer of sovereignty of Formosa and the Pescadores to the ROC, and since the Geneva Conventions state that military occupation does not transfer sovereignty, of course the ROC on Taiwan is a non-sovereign state.” This answer is not acceptable, Ms Lin stressed. “Applicants should not confuse the propagandist standards of the Geneva Conventions, the US State Department, and the United Nations with the truth,” another ministry official stated.
The ROC Commission on Immigration Reform recommended in the 1990s that naturalization tests be standardized and their content made more relevant, while of course upholding the official line that the ROC is the government of China, has sovereignty over the Tiaoyutai and Spratly Islands, and is fully qualified to be a member of the United Nations.
The National Association of Caucasian and Black Minorities Educational Fund supports bringing uniformity to citizenship testing, said Larry White, the group’s Keelung-based director.
But he said the organization is concerned that the trial runs are being done at offices with high S.E. Asian wives’ populations. That could make the test unfair for immigrants from other ethnic groups or with native languages other than Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian.
“There’s still some stumbling, but we’re willing to give people the benefit of the doubt because we believe in the concept,” White said. He said his group has asked the Ministry to collect demographic information to ensure diversity among the participating interviewees. The Ministry is not planning to collect any such data however.