SB161 By Senators Orr, Allen and Brewbaker RFD Education and Youth Affairs Rd 1 05-MAR-15

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the core curriculum in Alabama for students in grades K-12 includes instruction in social studies.

This bill would require, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, students to successfully pass a civics test identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States citizenship and immigration services to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Relating to K-12 education; beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, to require students to successfully pass a civics test identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States citizenship and immigration services to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma, a student shall correctly answer at least 60 of the 100 questions listed on a civics test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States citizenship and immigration services. The school shall document on the transcript of the student that he or she has successfully completed the civics test as required by this subsection.

(b) The local board of education may determine the method and manner in which to administer the civics test to students. A student who does not obtain a passing score on the civics test may retake the test until he or she obtains a passing score.

(c) A special education student is not required to achieve a passing score on the civics test in order to graduate from high school unless he or she is learning at a level appropriate for his or her grade level in a specific academic area and unless a passing score on the civics test is specifically required in a specific academic area by the individualized education program of the student, if the student is at least 18 years of age.

(d) The State Board of Education shall make the civics texst available to nonpublic high school students in the state and may establish and charge each nonpublic high school student taking the civics test a reasonable fee to cover the costs of providing the civics test.

(e) The State Board of Education shall promulgate necessary rules to implement this section.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Education

Social Studies

High School

Curriculum