Michigan Representative Wants Civics Test Similar To Immigration Standard For High Schoolers
LANSING (WWJ) -- Arizona already has a law on the books requiring students to pass a civics test before they can graduate from high school. Now, a state lawmaker wants Michigan to adopt the same standard.
State Representative Peter Lucido of Shelby Township says that students should be able to pass the same test that immigrants must pass if they want to become American Citizens.
"I've talked to students who are coming here to the Capitol, young -- what's called vibrant -- minds," Lucido said. "I said, 'do you know what building you're in?' State Capitol. 'Do you know what kind of business is conducted in the State Capitol? Who are the ones who are here in the State Capitol?'
"They can't answer basic questions," Lucido said.
If Lucido's plan is approved by lawmakers and signed by Governor Snyder, it would become law in the 2016-2017 school year.
"I think it's necessary, I think it's important and I think it's critical for good citizens to learn good government," Lucido said.
Lucido said that students would have to answer at least 60 percent of the questions correctly in order to graduate, the same benchmark which is applied to the test that immigrants applying to become American citizens must take.