Arizona has become the first state in the nation to OK a law requiring high school students to pass the same civics exam that immigrants have to take to win their citizenship.
“Not long from now, our children will be entrusted with protecting the principles on which this country was founded, and it is up to us to prepare them for that responsibility today,” said Gov. Doug Ducey, Reuters reported. “[This measure will] help ensure all Arizona students understand basic American civics.”
The bill was fast-tracked on a bipartisan line. It contains a requirement that all students must take the test and score at least 60 out of 100, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, Reuters said.
Several other states are considering the same type of law, but Arizona was the first to pass it.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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