Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id RAA02855; Sun, 30 Jan 2000 17:18:00 -0500 (EST) Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 17:18:00 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <3894B700.C4518B85@interaccess.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Aliza Becker <alzbec@interaccess.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4033] Re: Citizenship Spelling Test X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.5 [en] (Win95; I) Status: OR Dear Martha, INS district standards relative to the content and evaluation of the dictation vary considerably across the country. In the Chicago district, for example, we have a list of 30 possible sentences and a passing standard that requires 60% of the words to be spelled correctly. This is not the norm around the country and is the result of local advocacy. Several districts have been mandated to use computer-generated sentences which can be quite complicated and have generated significant protest at the national level. (An e-mail from IRSA program director Walter Ewing regarding this issue to his citizenship list is included below.) Others use the list of sample sentences in the INS publication. "A Guide to Naturalization". Some districts leave it up to the individual officers to dictate sentences with the perameter that they be related to "ordinary English" or "citizenship". If you want complete information, you will have to work with your local INS district office and others in your geographical area. Good luck! Aliza Becker TO: William Yates, Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner, ISD FROM: Walter Ewing, Program Director DATE: January 19, 2000 RE: Questions & Concerns Regarding C-4 Program During a nationwide conference call yesterday of immigrant advocacy organizations, a number of questions were raised concerning the new "C-4" computer program for citizenship testing, apparently distributed by INS headquarters, which generates random dictation and reading-comprehension sentences. The program is currently being used in New York, Portland (Ore.), St. Paul (Minn.), Sacramento (Calif.) and an as-yet-indeterminate number of other locations. On the basis of the limited information currently available about C-4, the participants on the call agreed that the sentences created by the program seem to far exceed the requirements for naturalization. However, there are many other issues in urgent need of clarification: 1. Where is C-4 being used? 2. When did the INS begin using it? 3. Who developed it? Were educational and ESL experts involved? 4. What is the INS rationale for using C-4? 5. What mechanisms are in place for monitoring its use? 6. What discretion, if any, do INS interviewers have in selecting questions? 7. Is C-4 being used as part of a pilot program? If so, what is the duration of this program and what plans does the INS have to expand it? 8. Why was the CBO community not notified that C-4 was being used? 9. Precisely how is it being used (dictation, reading comprehension, history/civics)? 10. Have passing rates declined in the locales where it is in use? 11. Where INS offices trained in its use? 12. Were procedures for accommodating disabled applicants included in the instructions for C-4? Were these instructions distributed to INS offices? 13. Who at INS headquarters is responsible for C-4? Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. "Martha C. Larsen" wrote: > Hello to all those who work in citizenship preparation! About 3 months ago > a put out a query on the spelling sentences dictated to persons seeking > citizenship and got very little response. I think others probably have the > same questions I do - which is how to prepare people for whatever sentence > they could be dictated. There used to be 20 sentences, then a few more > were added and now it can be whatever, dictated from some computer list. > > I am going to list here any sentences that I have heard that have been given > during the test. If anyone else has heard any you could put them on the > list-serv or you could send them directly to me at marthal@open.org. > > Any errors in spelling are probably typing errors!!!! > > My jacket is black and green. I live in ______, ______. > There are ___ children in my family. Pumpkins are orange. > The water is hot. They're learning English. > I take the bus to work. I believe in the Constitution. > The ocean brings in the cold. I look for a ride to work every week. > I want to be a citizen of the United States. The sky is blue. > I live with my wife/husband and ___ children. > The woman eats in the restaurant. The bus stopped at the corner. > I know how to read, write and speak English. > She lives in a small, blue house. She's my daughter. > I drive a black truck to work. My children make me happy. > I will be a good citizen. I have ___ very good children. > The children play at the bus stop. I like (state) very much. > I like to be with my children. We need good food for lunch. > I don't have an easy job. The boy played with his dog. > She drives her car to work. It is rainy and cold. > It's raining this evening. It isn't raining. > It is not raining. Today is very cloudy. > The sun is still shining. It isn't sunny today. > I have no children. We need a good breakfast. > Roses are red and white. > > martha -- Aliza Becker Phone: (773) 267-0746 Fax (773) 478-5091 E-mail alzbec@interaccess.com
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