Bill would require students to pass citizenship test to graduate

ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require high school students to pass a civics test before they can graduate.

WKRN News 2 reports that the test is the same exam immigrants must pass to become a United States citizen.

House Bill 10, introduced by House Majority leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, would require students to answer at least 60 of the 100 questions on the exam correctly to receive their diplomas.

Public high schools would administer it and give each student the opportunity to take the test as many times as necessary until they pass it. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services allows immigrants only two chances to pass the test.

If the bill is passed, it would go into effect January 1, 2016. Tennessee lawmakers are set to discuss the bill when the Tennessee General Assembly meets on Jan. 13.