Debate On Civics Test Requirement Begins In General Assembly

A bill that would require high school students to pass a U.S. citizenship test before graduating was questioned by some lawmakers Tuesday at a General Assembly committee hearing.

Yet no one disagreed that college students and adults are often befuddled when asked how our government works. Last year an Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found only about a third of adult respondents could name all three branches of government.

Surveys like that are one reason why the issue has attracted two bills by state lawmakers.

Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, wants to require students to pass a 100 question civics tests -- the same one given for U.S. citizenship. Starting in 8th grade, students would a chance to take it once a year.

The proposal is similar to Senate Bill 269 by Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn.

Tuesday the House Education Committee heard Wesco's House Bill 1296.

“We want our students to grow up and be engaged citizens in our government, in our local government at every level," Wesco said. "And I believe we need to begin doing that by requiring this test to be passed to be every graduating student in the state.”

But some members of the committee questioned whether another high-stakes exam is needed or beneficial to students.The Department of Education also says the state’s new social studies standards emphasize civics at grades 5, 8 and in high school and covers the questions on the proposed test.

Committee Chairman Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, suggested including some of the information in the 2016 version of the ISTEP exam rather than mandating a new statewide test.

Wesco and some supporters argue that studying democracy is as important as science and math for students. 

Wesco's bill would require students to answer 60 percent of the of the 100 questions correctly to pass it.

The cost of the test and its study materials for school corporations in the first year is estimated at $2.3 million, according to the Legislative Services Agency. The annual cost in subsequent years would be $464,400.

The House Education committee did not vote on the bill Tuesday. It will be considered again.

Contact WFYI education reporter Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org or call (317) 614-0470. Follow on Twitter: @ericweddle.