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House approves new civics requirements for Missouri students

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House gave early approval to a bill that would mandate high school students pass an exam similar to the one given to immigrants seeking citizenship status in the U.S.

Current Missouri law requires students in high school to pass an exam on the U.S. and Missouri constitutions before graduating. HB578 removes that provision and replaces it with the requirement to pass a multiple choice test featuring questions like those found on the naturalization exam.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress says that roughly 92 percent of immigrants who take the exam pass, but only 24 percent of U.S. students are proficient in civics. Supporters of the bill say the exam will force students to learn more about the U.S. constitution and how their country works, making them better citizens.

Opponents note that the questions are all available online for practice and that a multiple choice test lowers the standard for the exam. They also chided the language for removing requirements to learn about the Missouri constitution.

The measure needs one more vote, largely a formality, before advancing to the senate.