Final answer:
Textbooks aim to foster a form of citizenship based on democratic participation and national pride, but they may not succeed due to the evolving nature of civic issues and interpretations of history, as evidenced by the majority of native-born Americans being unable to pass the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test.
Step-by-step explanation:
Textbooks often aim to instill a form of citizenship that emphasizes democratic participation, national pride, and a sense of responsibility to engage civically in the life of the country. However, they may not always succeed in achieving this goal due to a variety of factors, such as the complexity of legal and socio-political issues, and the evolving nature of what it means to be a citizen in a modern and diverse society. The content loaded in textbooks strives to cover a broad range of citizenship topics, from U.S. history and geography to the legal process of becoming a citizen and discussions on civil rights, including the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and their children. In particular, while textbooks may push for a form of citizenship that encompasses broad knowledge and inclusive understanding of U.S. civic life, they often fall short due to the dynamic nature of civic issues and interpretations of history. The 2012 Xavier University survey indicated a gap in civic knowledge among native-born American citizens compared to immigrants, with only one-third of Americans passing the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test, thus highlighting an area where textbooks' intent and actual outcomes diverge.