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PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Haahr sponsors Civics Education Initiative

Date: January 20, 2015 at 4:27:49 PM CST

 

NEWS From the Office of Representative Elijah Haahr

 

134th District

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 20, 2015

 

CONTACT:  Rep. Elijah Haahr

                                    (573) 751-2210

 

Rep. Haahr sponsors Civics Education Initiative

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, has sponsored HB 574, an education initiative requiring every high school student to pass a basic civics test prior to receiving a diploma. The test, identical to the United States Citizenship Civics Test required for U.S Citizenship, would include 100 questions regarding U.S. history, the Constitution, and basics of the federal government.

Students would need a 60 percent grade to pass the exam, which Haahr aims to put into effect by next year. A bipartisan effort, he believes this bill will lead to more knowledgeable and interactive U.S. citizens.

Rep. Haahr commented, “As a country founded by immigrants, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our children and our children’s children are held to the same standards that those who wish to join us are held to.”

The bill now awaits assignment to committee for further discussion. Similar legislation recently passed in Arizona and is up for vote in the North Dakota Senate.

 

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