Bill requiring students to pass civics test passes Senate, 29-6

Though lots of senators had questions about it, the Senate has voted 29-6 in favor of SB 1071a , Sen. Jim Patrick’s bill to require students to pass a civics test to graduate from high school; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com and also see if you can pass the test. The bill has 21 co-sponsors from both parties; the idea behind it is to make sure students learn the same basic knowledge of American civics that new immigrants must demonstrate to become American citizens.

“If you graduate from high school without being able to name any war fought in the 1900s or being able to name any Native American Indian tribe something is wrong,” Patrick said. “This is not a hard test.”

The bill has been amended to allow the state Board of Education to make rules regarding the testing, and to allow local school boards to decide how to administer the test in their districts. It now moves to the House side.