Springfield lawmaker would tie diploma to passing citizenship test

A Springfield lawmaker has sponsored a bill that would require every high school student to pass a citizenship test.

Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, sponsored HB 574, an education initiative that would require every Missouri high school student to pass a “basic civics test” before receiving a diploma.

The test, identical to the United States Citizenship Civics Test required for U.S Citizenship, would include 100 questions regarding U.S. history, the Constitution, and basics of the federal government, according to a news release.

Similar legislation recently passed in Arizona and is up for vote in the North Dakota Senate.

Under Haahr’s proposal, students have have to score at least 60 percent to pass the exam. Haahr aims to put the test into effect by next year.

Haahr, in the news release, said he believes this bill will lead to more knowledgeable and interactive U.S. citizens.

“As a country founded by immigrants, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our children and our children’s children are held to the same standards that those who wish to join us are held to,” he said, in the release.

The bill now awaits assignment to committee for further discussion, the release said.