To the Editor:
In response to your article “Student Mastery of Civics Ed. Goes Untested” (Oct. 17, 2012): In order to become citizens of the United States, applicants must pass a test. Every 11th grader should be given the test and have the next year to learn what they failed.
It seems that not even a majority of Americans who are eligible to vote bother to do so. When I was teaching middle school, I realized that the kids had no idea who ran a city or the state. They sort of knew who the president was. They had no idea how the government worked. It seems a little late to start teaching this in high school.
People living in a democracy are supposed to be involved in the government.
My extended family had to take a test to see if they knew about our country before they were allowed to become citizens. The least we can expect from native-born Americans is that they can pass the same test.
I suggest they begin to learn in elementary school. They can take the test in 11th grade and if/when they fail, they have one more year to catch up. Or maybe we should have it earlier. If you don’t pass the test, you can’t get a driver’s license. That should get their attention.
Michael Carlsson
Philadelphia, Pa.
The author is a retired teacher.
