SUMMARY
The Louisiana voter literacy test of the mid-1960s consisted of 30 questions to be completed in ten minutes, where any incorrect answer disqualified a voter. The test was designed with ambiguous and confusing questions, allowing examiners to arbitrarily disqualify individuals. Specific examples include a question lacking a verb that could be interpreted in multiple ways, highlighting the test's inherent contradictions. This method of assessment was used in educational settings, where teachers could administer the test randomly based on students' physical features.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of historical voter suppression tactics
- Familiarity with the structure and purpose of literacy tests
- Knowledge of the civil rights movement in the United States
- Awareness of educational assessment methods
NEXT STEPS
- Research the history of literacy tests in the United States
- Examine the impact of voter suppression on civil rights legislation
- Explore educational assessment practices in the 1960s
- Investigate the role of physical appearance in discriminatory practices
USEFUL FOR
Historians, educators, civil rights activists, and anyone interested in the intersection of education and voter rights in the United States.