By THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Friday, February 15, 2019
D’oh: Only 1 state passes US citizenship test, DC fails big
Paul Bedard
A majority in every state except Vermont has failed the U.S. Citizenship test, the
latest sign that Americans aren’t very good history students.
In the multiple choice version of the test given to immigrants seeking citizenship, 53
percent of Vermonters passed.
More than half of those in every other state failed, and in Washington, D.C., 58
percent failed, said the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, which does the survey.
Only one-in-four nationally passed the 20-questions.
In its latest test, the Foundation said that 15 percent of adults knew the year the
Constitution was written and only 25 percent knew how many amendments there
are.
Also, of 41,000 quizzed, 25 percent did not know that freedom of speech was
guaranteed under the First Amendment, and 57 percent did not know that Woodrow
Wilson was the commander in chief during World War I.
The top states were Vermont, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, and Virginia. At
the bottom were Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana.
The Foundation is a leading group pushing for better history education. It has
launched a new initiative to make learning history easier and fun.
And just in time.
“Among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Vermonters were the sole group
able to pass the multiple-choice test. Even more disturbing, only 27 percent of those
under the age of 45 nationally were able to demonstrate a basic understanding of
American history. Nationally, only four in 10 Americans passed the exam,” said the
group.
“Unfortunately, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation has validated what studies have
shown for a century: Americans don’t possess the history knowledge they need to
be informed and engaged citizens,” said Foundation President Arthur Levine.
1. Why is it important to know history and political science/government?
It can tell us what decisions worked in particular situations in the past and what
didn't.
2. Why do you think so many Americans don’t seem to care about these issues?
Because they only think for themselves.
3. Why do we ask immigrants who want to become citizens to learn the answers
to these questions?
So that we could be part of them and now what to say when asked.
4. Are you surprised that most Americans don’t know the answers to a lot of
these questions? Why or why not?
Not really I myself don’t know somethings as well
5. How could schools make history more exciting or enjoyable as a subject to
learn?
Have different activities and working with groups
6. Your class might be interested to see how they might do on the test. Here is a
list of all 100 questions that can be asked:
ok