Connecticut House Bill HB06417

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/15
• Refer: 1/23/15

Caption

An Act Concerning The Inclusion Of The United States Citizenship Test As Part Of The High School Graduation Requirements.

Impact

If enacted, this legislation would amend section 10-221a of the general statutes to enforce the citizenship test completion as a prerequisite for high school graduation. This requirement may affect educational curricula and assessments across local school districts as they work to integrate civics education more thoroughly into their programs. Proponents of the bill argue that a solid grounding in civic knowledge is essential for preparing informed and active citizens, thereby strengthening democratic participation in the state.

Summary

House Bill 6417 proposes a significant change to high school graduation requirements in the state by mandating that students must satisfactorily complete the United States citizenship test in order to be eligible for graduation. The bill aims to enhance students' understanding of history and civics, emphasizing the importance of citizenship education. As a result, local and regional boards of education will have to implement policies to administer the test and ensure that all graduating students meet this new requirement.

Contention

The inclusion of the citizenship test as a graduation requirement may raise concerns regarding equity and access to education. Critics might argue that the necessity to pass this test could disproportionately affect students from underprivileged backgrounds who may not have adequate preparation or resources for the test. Furthermore, debates may arise over the appropriateness of using a standardized test to determine graduation eligibility, questioning whether it accurately reflects a student's overall educational experience and understanding of civic principles.