Civics Test for High School Students

High-school students would have to pass a civics test similar to an immigration citizenship exam in order to graduate under a new education reform bill unveiled in the state House last week. Republican Representative Peter Lucido from Shelby Township says U.S.-born citizens should have the same basic understanding and appreciation for American civics as people from other countries who want to become citizens here. The legislation would require the State Board of Education to include the requirement for students to pass a civics test in the high-school competency requirements for graduation beginning in the 2016-17 school year. Students would be required to get at least 60 percent of the questions correct on the test in order to graduate, the same requirement for individuals taking a citizenship test.