Hmmm. . . apparently some legislators feel that the old Sam Cook song is applicable to modern education as they want to cause an examination on the U.S. Constitution to be a mandatory part of receiving a high school diploma, an associates degree, or a bachelors degree, if its issued in Wyoming.
Actually a requirement like that already exists, although I wonder how the law is applied to the private institutions in the state, but what doesn't exist is a requirement to take the same test that applicants for American citizenship must take as part of all of that.
As many folks know, the country has been engaged in sort of an education war between the left and the right since the 1970s. Bills like this are part of that, as conservatives have long decried, with some merit, the lack of knowledge on the part of the average American on basic civics topics. So, all in all, maybe this is a good thing. There's a little irony to it, however, in that requiring the same tests that applicants for naturalization must take draws sort of an odd analogy, in contemporary American politics, and requiring actual study of the Constitution, while a really good idea, doesn't necessarily suit those on the far right, or the far left for that matter.
It'll be interesting to see where this goes.
2019
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STATE OF WYOMING
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19LSO-0566
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HOUSE BILL NO. HB0129
Civics proficiency examination.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Olsen, Brown, Clem, Flitner, Henderson, Lindholm, Miller, Northrup and Piiparinen and Senator(s) Agar, Bebout, Biteman, Boner, Case, Coe and Pappas
A BILL
for
AN ACT relating to education; requiring passage of an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming to receive a high school diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree or high school equivalency certificate; specifying examination requirements and composition; providing legislative findings; and providing for an effective date.
(iv) In consultation with local school districts, establish requirements for students to earn a high school diploma as evidenced by course completion and passage of an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming in accordance with W.S. 21‑9‑102, and as measured by each district's assessment system prescribed by rule and regulation of the state board and required under W.S. 21‑3‑110(a)(xxiv). Once every five (5) years and on a staggered basis, the state board shall through the department, review and approve each district's assessment system designed to determine the various levels of student performance as aligned with the uniform state standards and the attainment of high school graduation requirements as evidenced by course completion and passage of an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming in accordance with W.S. 21‑9‑102. In addition and following review, refinement and revision of student content and performance standards adopted under paragraph (a)(iii) of this section and reviewed under subsection (c) of this section, the board shall establish a process to ensure district assessment systems are aligned with the refined and revised standards within three (3) full school years following adoption of revised standards;
21‑9‑102. Instruction in state and federal constitutions required;satisfactory examination a prerequisite to graduation and high school equivalency certification; composition of examination.
(a) The state of Wyoming finds that the study of American civics encompasses what it means to be a good citizen, fosters an understanding of how government works and informs citizens on how they can participate and influence their government.
(b) All schools and colleges in this state that are supported in any manner by public funds shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States constitution and the constitution of the state of Wyoming, including the study of and devotion to American institution and ideals., and no student shall receive a high school diploma, associate degree or baccalaureate degree without satisfactorily passing an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming. The instruction shall be given for at least three (3) years in kindergarten through grade eight (8) and for one (1) year each in the secondary and college grades.
(c) No student shall receive a high school diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree or, beginning school year 2020‑2021, a high school equivalency certificate without satisfactorily passing an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming. Subject to W.S. 21‑9‑101(c), every student in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) shall be afforded at least one (1) opportunity per school year to take the examination. A student pursuing a high school equivalency certificate shall be afforded the opportunity to take the examination as part of the Wyoming community college commission's high school equivalency certification program. A student may take the examination as many times as necessary to pass it.
(d) Beginning school year 2020‑2021, the examination shall consist of one hundred (100) questions identical to the questions the United States citizenship and immigration services may ask an individual during the application process for United States citizenship in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1423. To pass the examination, a student shall answer correctly not less than sixty percent (60%) of the examination's questions.
(e) This section is subject to a student's individualized education program under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended.
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