Want your high school diploma? Pennsylvania lawmakers propose civics test

[TexasTowelie]

Can you name the current Speaker of the U.S. House? Do you know when the Declaration of Independence was adopted? Can you identify our nation's economic system?

If you can answer such elementary civics questions, education experts say, you have the makings of an engaged citizen - equipped to grasp the nuances of the current, contentious race for the White House.

But if you draw a blank on these, and another 97 like them, you might be denied a high school diploma in Pennsylvania, starting in 2021.

Under a bill making its way through the state House, high school seniors would have to pass a test on the basics of American government before they could graduate - the same examination given to newly minted citizens by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20161004_Want_your_high_school_diploma__Pa__lawmakers_propose_civics_test.html

[kimbutgar]

1. I actually think this is a good idea

And people should have to answer 10 questions about our government before being allowed to vote you can pass with 70% Newly naturalized citizen know more about our government than native born.

I took civics in high school and learned about our government then, it was required for high school graduation.

[gopiscrap]

5. Thank you as one who had to pass a US citizenship

test, I have always felt that those new citizens usually knew more about our government than native born folks

[TexasTowelie]

6. It was the same for me.

I had to pass civics in order to graduate from high school. I thought that the course was one of the easier classes that I had in high school and I was somewhat surprised when I saw how many of the other students struggled with the course. Most of the students in my high school took the course when they were juniors, but I waited until my senior year which may have benefited me. The teacher during my junior year was a conservative white Republican and she quit that year; meanwhile, her replacement was a politically moderate Hispanic man who encouraged the students to think critically about social justice issues rather than learn trivial knowledge.

[Siwsan]

2. I want people running for ANY political office to have to take a civics exam

Most especially, anyone running for POTUS.

[asiliveandbreathe]

3. I had civics in HS, but then that was Massachusetts...are you telling me

civics is not being taught? -

[BassMazter2016]

4. I agree.

I have often thought that you should take a IQ test to vote..lol.

[deathrind]

7. I see no problem...

...with this. I hope it goes into effect. One of the mandatory classes I had to take in 8th grade was Social Studies class. Which one semester of it was spent on US Government. Learning about the 3 branches of government and how each one works, checks and balance, foreign/domestic policy. It was a great class. Every student should have to take a class like this at some point in their educational career.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

9. Good, but if the politicians can't pass the test,

they get kicked out of office.

[freeplessinseattle]

10. We had to take a Constitution test to graduate-but were allowed to fail up to 7 times.

I had to take it 3x myself, and studied as much as I could. I don't think it's a requirement anymore (this was in 1990)