Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
(STATEHOUSE) - The Senate will try to revive a bid to require Indiana high school students to pass the same test immigrants take to gain citizenship.
The House Education Committee took testimony last month on a bill to require a civics test for graduation, but didn't vote -- skeptics note legislators are debating whether the state requires too many tests already.
But Senate Education Chairman Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) says the citizenship test is available online for free, and shouldn't take more than an hour to complete.
Kruse's committee will hear his version of the bill on Wednesday. He argues being aware of basic American history and government is something students should know throughout their lives. He says he fears social-studies classes are straying from those principles -- he says he reviewed one textbook which mentioned George Washington and the Constitution once apiece.
Arizona last month became the first state to require students to pass the test. 17 other states are considering it. Kruse says a dry run in Arizona found 19 of 20 students flunked the exam.
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