In light of the current immigration debate in Congress, a special opinion piece in CNN today considers what it means to be a citizen and questions whether the current paper-and-pencil requirements we have in place (naturalization tests for immigrants, standardized tests for K-12 students) reflects a worthy definition of citizenship. Peter Levine, the Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship and Public Affairs and director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, argues that more important than memorizing generalized facts to pass a test are learning the skills and values that accompany communal interaction and community engagement:
As Congress debates the immigration bill, the nation's attention will be focused on the question of who should be a citizen. We should not forget the equally important question of what citizens must know, believe, and do. For immigrants and native-born Americans alike, civic education should not be about passing a simple test but promoting high and diverse civic achievement.
Click below to read Levine's op-ed.