Requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas

This bill requires students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas. The bill provides that the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school are to require, commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2026, all students in grades through to attain, as a condition of graduation, a passing score on an assessment that consists of the multiple choice questions contained in the most recent version of the civics test developed by the United States citizenship and immigration services. A student must answer at least percent of the questions on the assessment correctly to attain a passing score. A student who fails to answer at least percent of the questions on the assessment correctly may retake the assessment as many times as is necessary. The bill prohibits school districts and accredited nonpublic schools from imposing or collecting any fee in connection with the administration of the assessment. The bill requires the state board of education to adopt rules to administer these provisions. The bill provides that individuals seeking a high school equivalency diploma must also pass such an examination.