Hawaii House Bill HR110

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/13/24

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education To Require Students To Complete And Pass The Civics Portion Of The United States Citizenship Test In Order To Graduate From High School Or Obtain A High School Diploma.

Impact

If implemented, HR110 would create a new requirement for high school graduation in Hawaii, compelling students to have a satisfactory understanding of U.S. governance and history. This would require coordination among educators to prepare students for the test, which consists of questions identical to those found on the naturalization test. The resolution mandates that students be given the opportunity to take the test starting in ninth grade, with options to attempt the test multiple times to ensure mastery of the material.

Summary

House Resolution 110 (HR110) urges the Department of Education in Hawaii to require high school students to pass the civics portion of the United States citizenship test in order to graduate or obtain a high school diploma. This initiative follows a trend initiated by Arizona in 2015, with several states adopting similar measures to promote civic knowledge among students. The resolution emphasizes the importance of understanding U.S. civics and history as a foundation for engaged citizenship and aims to strengthen students' awareness of their civic duties.

Contention

While the initiative aims to enhance civic education, it may bring about varied opinions regarding its impact on educational freedom and curriculum design. Supporters of HR110 argue that it is crucial for fostering informed citizens who engage actively in democracy, while critics may raise concerns about the appropriateness of standardized testing in assessing civic knowledge or the potential for it to detract from comprehensive education in other essential subjects. There could be debates about whether this requirement might lead to increased pressure on students and teachers alike.