Constitution test to graduate HS, anyone else have this?

[freeplessinseattle]

I was just thinking about when I was in HS, oh, 15+ years ago (in a town north of Seattle) we were required to take a Constitution test in order to graduate. at the time I was less than thrilled and didn't really get why it was important that we know it so in depth, but back then I took my rights for granted. and was experiencing senioritis so studying for another test was just another test.

Now I can see the value, and applaud my school for having the foresight-though get this, you could take it seven times, I failed it more than once, it was a long-ass test, but I guess they knew it was tough but important for US citizens to know.

What do you think, should schools require the same test? now I think it'd be a good idea for everyone to have some kind of basic test, or be more exposed to the content of the Constitution somehow. especially **

[electron_blue]

1. maybe you should have to take a test to bcm president, whaddya think?

We didn't have a constitution class. Instead, we had a witch hunt of a class called "Americanism vs. Communism". Gads, and this was in the 1980's. It's not like this was during McCarthy's time.

[Dorian Gray]

26. At one of my high schools

they offered a class called Communist Societies. It was really interesting, and it was truly academic in that it examined the societies (both the good and bad). We studied Eastern Europe, Russia, China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba. We also read Communist Theory, and it was fascinating.

I like the idea of the Constitution being studied in High School. It's a very basic document that all high school students should aware. I think that the majority of students, however, will just see it as a waste of time, as they do most other academic subjects.

[OzarkDem]

2. Should be required

Passing tests for the state and US Constitutions was required when I was in school, but it seems to have drifted out of style. It takes a fairly competent teacher to handle, maybe that's the problem.

:shrug:

[OnionPatch]

3. I had heard awhile back

that one of the prominent Dems, I think it was Robert Byrd, had some legislation to make the teaching of the constitution mandatory in public schools. I'm sure that legislation went nowhere fast. Republicans certainly don't want us knowing our rights or even learning to Constitution for that matter....we might all find out that everything they do is an assault to it.

Edited to add: OMG....I think it IS mandated! Check out this story I just found while googling...I guess I have to eat my words :spank: Thank you Senator Byrd!!! :bounce:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/05/24/national/w095918D23.DTL

[Horse with no Name]

4. I lived in Arizona when I was in the 8th grade

We had to take a MANDATORY test over the Constitution before we could advance to High School.
The test was 25 pages long and there was a great deal of it that was essay.
That was back in the mid-late 70's.
I guess it was more important back then.:sarcasm:

[TrueAmerican]

9. We had it the same in California

I don't remember the essay, but the tests were pretty long. You couldn't go High School without paasing.

[annabanana]

5. I think kids should take a whole COURSE on the

Constitution. They should get kid sized bites of the concepts throughout grade school until it becomes part of the air that they breathe. Then I think they ought to get walloped with a major course (a civics requirement, if you will) that is mandatory for graduation.

Seriously.

[ptolle]

23. agree/w caveat

I'd agree we ought to teach the constitution in some depth. But, I'd like to see it done in conjunction with American History to include studying some of the thinkers who influenced the founders, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Voltaire, with extensive mention of the enlightenment.If for no other reason than to impart the idea that the constitution sprang from a deep well of concern and thought about the rights of man.I'd also like to see such a unit include a goodly portion of the writings of the fathers themselves e.g. Jefferson's letters to various correspondents like to the Danbury Baptist congregation.

[Kingshakabobo]

6. It was required by state law in Illinois when I graduated in 1983. n/t

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

7. I know I took it in 1970 when I graduated from high school here in IL.

I just assumed that it was still required. I passed it the first time I took it.

[Feenicks]

8. Didn't have it in Minnesota in the late 70's, but I think

it's a darn good idea. It should be a requirement!

[newyawker99]

24. Hi Feenicks!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[dalaigh lllama]

10. I had to take the Contitution test in Illinois back in the 70's

and I'm pretty sure both my kids had to take it here in Missouri in the 90's. (I wasn't rabid politically back then, so I can't be sure about Missouri.)

[dflprincess]

11. I didn't have a test like that - what a good idea.

Several years ago I was at the Festival of Nations and one booth there was set up with a sample of the citizenship test immigrants take when they are naturalized. There were about 20 questions dealing with U.S. history and government. I took the test and scored 100%. The woman at the booth asked me if I was naturalized because I was the first native born citizen she'd seen to do that well.

[cyberpj]

12. I dont think schools even have Civics classes anymore Am I showing my age?

:blush:

[EST]

13. Civics class-1961-62.

College prep students had to pass certain standards and the big "Constitution Test" was an important milestone. The W.Va. Blue Book was also part of the course, and these courses led into American History and World History, college prep requirements for the next two years.

Terminally boring for a 14 year old, enormously valuable, now.

[cyberpj]

21. Yep. That's just what I was remembering in my post (above).

And I remember being encouraged to participate, volunteer, get involved whenever an issue felt important.

[EST]

22. When you are popping out in pimples, when every

impending test looked like a challenge to your right to live as a human being, when chores and homework chewed up so much time that real life political issues took on the aura of unreality, figuring out which issues were important and which were not was, mostly, beyond any serious consideration. Adulthood was still a lifetime away.

[carpetbagger]

14. Yeah, I had that...in a blue state.

Funny, that. The red state I went to HS in had no such requirement.

[tool_of_the_people]

15. Back in 1966...

...we had to pass a Constitution test to graduate from eighth grade to be able to enter high school. This was Chicago, so I don't know if it was a state or city requirement. For some strange reason, they thought that the Constitution was important in those days.

[newyawker99]

25. Hi tool_of_the_people!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[tool_of_the_people]

27. Thanks for the welcome, newyawker.

I think I'm gonna like it here.
:hippie:

[Wilber_Stool]

16. Back in 1962, you couldn't graduate grade school in Illinois

if you didn't pass Civics class. You had it in seventh grade so if you didn't pass you could take it over in eighth. I don't remember much about it but it was no piece of cake.

[seabeyond]

17. calif, was the 7th grade history. i remember it. i loved it n/t

[jarab]

18. Good idea/practice. n/t

...O...

[freeplessinseattle]

19. Interesting, thanks, now I am wondering if my old HS

still requires the Constitution test. I also wonder if it is a state requirement for WA, I think some people I knew from the other HS in town said they don't remember taking a Const. test (and this was a mega test not soon forgotten).

maybe in order to run as a political candidate should be required to take it.

wow, 8th grade, and I thought it was tough in 12th grade. well, a good idea especially with someone like Alito letting 12 year olds be arrested for eating a French fry.

side note, my Civics teacher was known for bringing his antique shotgun to class for students to pass around and admire. his name was Mr. Firebaugh, hmm, awfully similar sounding to a certain Mr. Limbaugh, maybe distant relatives. (now my old HS has, or had, metal detectors and a security guard. how times change)

[darkism]

20. I had this in private, Catholic high school in 2000 in IL

It's a great idea, even if the freeper spawn in the school didn't appreciate the document.

[newportdadde]

28. Pretty sure I took it back in 95.