Mississippi Senate Bill SB2065

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

United States Citizenship Test; require as a condition for high school graduation.

Impact

This bill aims to enhance students' understanding of civics and their knowledge of U.S. history, ultimately contributing to well-informed future citizens. The State Board of Education is directed to ensure that this requirement is integrated into the history curriculum and that students are assessed accordingly. Furthermore, the law stipulates that neither the State Department of Education nor school districts can impose fees related to the civics test, ensuring that financial barriers do not inhibit student participation. It also allows students to take the test multiple times to meet the proficiency requirement.

Summary

Senate Bill 2065 is an act that mandates the demonstration of proficiency in civics as a requirement for high school graduation in Mississippi. Specifically, students must take the United States Citizenship Test, which consists of 100 questions used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. To meet the graduation requirement, students must correctly answer at least 80% of these questions. This new requirement is set to take effect during the 2023-2024 school year and will be incorporated into the existing United States History curriculum, which will cover historical knowledge starting from the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 up to the present.

Contention

While the bill's supporters believe it strengthens civic education and prepares students for active citizenship, opponents may argue that this additional requirement could impose undue pressure on students, particularly those with diverse learning needs. There are exemptions for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), but the implementation of this requirement still raises questions regarding the appropriate support and resources needed for all students to succeed. Additionally, there could be concerns about the adequacy of existing curriculum resources to effectively prepare students for the civics test before graduation.