Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate Education Committee introduced a bill that would require students to pass a basic civics test to graduate from high school. Republican Sen. Jim Patrick from Twin Falls told the panel Wednesday that the new focus on science, technology and math in schools means that students are learning less about government and current affairs. Students would need to answer 70 of the 100 questions correctly in order to pass. They would be able to take the test at any point after enrolling in seventh grade. Patrick says questions might ask about the three branches of government, how many justices are on the Supreme Court and when the Constitution was written. Questions would come from the same test that all immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship must pass.

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