High school students in Wisconsin are now required to take a civics test in order to graduate. It's included as part of the state's biennial budget.

“Nobody seemed to know about it. We weren't told of this here and I was kind of upset that if they don't pass it, they don't graduate.” Reaction from Linda Flick when she found out her grandson was required to take a new high school civics test in order to graduate.

According to Osseo-Fairchild Superintendent Bill Tourdot the test is given to students in their civics or government class either their junior or senior year.

“The criteria is kind of set by the school. The state says everyone has to take this exam to graduate. Then we set our own passing standard. Four our students we treat it like a regular exam in their classes,” says Tourdot.

The exam is made up of 100 questions and students would need to score 60% or better to pass. Questions are similar to those on a U.S. Citizenship Exam.

“What our teachers like to do is give it to their students right away at the beginning of the course to see where the kids are at. Then they give it again at the end of the course,” says Tourdot.

But Tourdot says the test shouldn't stray too far from the curriculum.

“This year, we officially implemented it and it kind of depends on when the kids take their course. Even before the state gave the exam, our students were taking exams on these things anyway. They really don't see anything differently,” says Tourdot.

Osseo-Fairchild along with Eau Claire started giving the test to students last year to see how they would do. It will actually be implemented in this 2016-17 school year.