others, which may present a barrier to becoming Canadian citizens and fully
participating in ... guide, Discover Canada, and related citizenship test have been
.
Citizenship Preparation National Settlement Conference November 2013
RDIMS #3381147
Citizenship landscape
• Canada has relatively high naturalization rate - 86% among newcomers to Canada • Citizenship is an important step in the integration process and provides access to certain rights and privileges • Monitoring of knowledge test suggests that some groups face challenges in meeting knowledge requirement 2
Requirements of Citizenship
• Meet residency requirements (live in Canada previous 3 out of 4 years) • Age 18+ (different rules for younger and some exemptions for 55+) • Official language knowledge (since Nov 2012-upfront proof required) • Knowledge of Canada – must pass Citizenship knowledge test (cut off: 75%) based on Discover Canada – While monitoring test results, CIC officials noticed that people with certain characteristics were not performing as well as others 3
Accessing citizenship Certain groups are less likely to be able to meet knowledge requirements than others, which may present a barrier to becoming Canadian citizens and fully participating in Canadian society. What are the common criteria? How can these groups be helped through the process to ensure their success in obtaining citizenship? – In order to strengthen the value of citizenship and improve citizenship applicants’ knowledge of Canada, a new more comprehensive study guide, Discover Canada, and related citizenship test have been developed. – The Canadian model emphasizes a facilitative approach to citizenship which supports integration. Research has shown an economic premium associated with citizenship. – Permanent residents who cannot access citizenship may feel alienated. Without ability to engage in democratic process or to go on extended trips like other Canadians – they and potentially their family members may feel less committed to Canada.
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Resources are available to help newcomers prepare for Citizenship Federal – resources to facilitate learning of knowledge/language • Discover Canada guide, available in various formats – Hard copy, PDF/html, Audio, Ebook, Mobile App
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes • 5 pilot projects delivered by Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) on citizenship preparation based on Discover Canada – – – –
Full Access to Citizenship Preparation Project (Catholic Cross Cultural Society) Virtual Citizenship Resource Centre (S.U.C.C.E.S.S) Être canadien à part entière (Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens ) Innovations in Newcomer Societal Connections (Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society ) – The Value of Citizenship – Preparing Newcomer Youth for Canadian Citizenship (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants)
• Information and Orientation sessions (e.g. Citizenship preparation classes) – Availability and format varies by province and SPO
...but are not geared to vulnerable groups 5
Resources are available to help newcomers prepare for Citizenship Provincial/ Territorial/Municipal – some provinces and municipalities supplement Federal resources • Range and availability of citizenship preparation materials/courses varies across Canada. – Toronto offers more citizenship preparation courses than any other city, and its public library has a 60Q citizenship quiz to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test. – Manitoba has developed a plain language study guide and course to prepare for the citizenship test.
• Scan of provincial citizenship test preparation courses demonstrated the majority are offered in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Efficacy of these courses has not been evaluated. ...but are not geared to vulnerable groups 6
Resources geared to vulnerable groups in other countries
UK A Life in the UK test
Preparatory handbook; English language materials classes (ESOL) and citizenship
classes. If applicants complete the class they do not need to take the citizenship test.
Citizenship test
The knowledge test consists of 24 questions and is based on the published guide.
Australia
New Zealand
US
Our Common Bond: A Course in Australian Citizenship is a course that is offered as an alternative to the citizenship test for applicants with low schooling and literacy levels
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of NZ citizenship, although there is no citizenship test. Applicants who come from non-English speaking countries must provide proof of language ability with their application.
Citizenship applicants must pass a test measuring their ability to read, write and speak English and demonstrate their knowledge of civics. A variety of preparation materials are provided including: videos, audio material, flash cards, publications and self-tests.
Test only covers the “testable” portion of the guide. It focuses on democratic beliefs, laws and the government, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
No citizenship test. Applicants are assessed on their language ability based on the nature of their employment and any face-toface communication with the Citizenship Office .
US knowledge test consists of 10 questions administered orally. Retesting scheduled 60-90 days later if applicant is unsuccessful.
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Previous analysis of citizenship test pass rates • When the new test based on Discover Canada was introduced, CIC started to monitor and analyze test performance. • Engaged Statistics Canada in 2011; they identified education level as the biggest factor influencing citizenship test pass rates. • CIC monthly monitoring shows variation in the test pass rate by country of origin. • Other, less pronounced variations exist e.g. by age of applicant.
• A regression analysis was subsequently performed by CIC to identify which characteristics were associated with failing the written citizenship knowledge test.
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Findings from CIC’s regression analysis 1. Reiterates education as most important factor impacting written test pass rate – –
Pass rate increases with the educational attainment of applicants. Test pass rate of applicants with the highest education level (Masters or Doctorate) is about 22 percentage points higher than applicants with the lowest education level (secondary or less).
2. Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) & Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) obtain the lowest test pass rates. –
Pass rate difference between Federal Skilled Workers (highest scoring category) and GAR (lowest scoring category) is about 17 percentage points.
3. Citizenship test pass rate varied by applicant’s country of birth –results lower for people from certain countries with less education –
Applicants born in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Iraq, Algeria, Jamaica, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Morocco, and the Philippines show the lowest test pass rates (14-22% below highest scoring country).
4. A modest gender gap disadvantaging women –
Among GARs and PSRs, the predicted test pass rate of women is at least 6 percentage points below men.
5. Age, official language ability and mother tongue showed to have an effect; however, less prominent than educational attainment, immigration category or country of birth –
Sizeable pass rate differences by age or official language ability at time of landing if applicant also had low education. 9
Key outcomes from the Regression analysis •
Those who are most at risk of being unable to obtain citizenship due to failure to pass the test are female refugees with secondary education or less from certain countries in South Asia and North Africa.
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Research confirms gap between citizenship test pass rates diminishes as applicant’s educational attainment increased – across all other factors.
•
Educational attainment has an impact on the effect of other attributes (i.e source country, gender), whose impact is much larger on applicants with low educational attainment than for those with high attainment.
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Official language ability at the time of landing had the greatest impact on applicants with secondary school education or less. It also had more of an impact on applicants with trades/certificate training than those with a university degree (BA or post-grad).
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Older applicants struggled more than any other age category to pass the citizenship test . This was more apparent among those with low levels of formal education.
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Breakout questions – for group discussion 1.
What are the difficulties individuals encounter when applying for and obtaining citizenship? – What obstacles do permanent residents face that prevent them from applying? – Once they’ve applied, what are the barriers to be successful on the citizenship test the first time? • e.g. Knowledge to pass the test, Language ability?
– What type of applicants are having the most difficulty?
2.
What are some best practices that participants are aware of in addressing the needs of groups that are having difficulty obtaining citizenship, especially scalable examples? – Are participants aware of outreach activities to permanent residents who might not otherwise apply for citizenship?
3.
How can Settlement Providing Organizations work with CIC to incorporate these best practices into existing programs & services? 11
