Social Studies

Civics-Test Bills Hit State Legislatures Again in 2016

By Jaclyn Zubrzycki — January 14, 2016 1 min read
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A new bill would require Nebraska students to pass a civics examination in order to graduate from high school, the Associated Press reports.

Sound familiar?

This is likely just one of a number of bills on the topic of civics education that will surface in state legislatures this year.

The Joe Foss Institute, the Arizona-based force behind the bill, plans to push for similar laws around the country in coming years. Last year, more than a dozen state legislatures considered bills that would require students to pass the naturalization test required of prospective U.S. citizens.

Nine of those states have passed similar laws so far, and schools are beginning to implement the requirement. Some districts are offering the high school graduation requirement as early as 8th grade.

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Curriculum Matters blog.