Should You Have to Pass a Civics Test to Graduate?

You’ve spent countless hours on math homework, written essays for language arts, and even performed a few science experiments. But have you learned enough civics? 

Civics focuses on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It encompasses everything from why our country was formed to how our government works. Many people say understanding civics is key for a successful democracy because it instills the importance of voting, staying informed, being active in your community, and following laws.

That’s why people applying to become U.S. citizens must pass a civics test. Its 100 questions cover a range of U.S. history, government, law, and geography topics. For instance, applicants must know when the U.S. Constitution was written, identify at least one freedom protected by the First Amendment, and be able to name the current president. 

But a civics test requirement isn’t just for new citizens. Over the past decade, there has been a growing movement to give the test to high school students too. In at least 15 states, students must pass a version of the test to graduate. And at least two other states are considering similar requirements. 

Does mandating that students pass a civics test help create informed and engaged citizens? Or does it put too much emphasis on memorizing facts and not enough on teaching teens to be active members of society? 

Read what two experts have to say. Then decide what you think.

The test ensures students will learn about civics. 

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once said, “The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens.” O’Connor understood how important it is to teach civics. Without it, young people aren’t prepared to actively participate in our government.

Over the past few decades, American high schools have been focused on preparing students for reading and math tests that students must pass to graduate. As a result, less time has been devoted to civics education. The effect is a shocking lack of understanding about how our government works. A 2023 Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found that 17 percent of Americans couldn’t name any of the three branches of the federal government. O’Connor called this lack of basic knowledge about civics “a quiet crisis.” We must address it.

Civics education can help our country counter misinformation and misunderstanding. Fake information spreads rapidly online, and people argue over politics. A better background in civics can help citizens filter out inaccurate information and debate controversial topics civilly. 

The unfortunate reality is that unless there is a way to measure civics education, it will not be a priority in schools. We must require students to pass a test showing their mastery of civics before they graduate. It is the best way to ensure that all young people are taught this critical material.

—Elizabeth Evans
Civic Education Program Director, Arizona State University

Memorizing facts doesn’t create engaged citizens.

The questions on the U.S. citizenship test can easily be answered by memorization. Passing the test does little to prepare young people for thoughtful civic and political engagement—one of the primary aims of civics education. 

For example, one question on the test asks how many times the U.S. Constitution has been amended. It’s pretty easy to memorize the number 27—in fact, too easy. 

High-quality civics education must go deeper. It should help students understand different points of view on current constitutional and political issues. And it needs to teach teens how to talk civilly about those topics with people who disagree with them. Even a perfect score on the citizenship exam wouldn’t help with either goal.

Some may ask, if it’s so easy to memorize the answers to 100 questions, what’s the harm in the test? The problem is that many teachers feel pressure to tailor their teaching to high-stakes tests that are required for graduation. And if you can’t graduate without passing such a test, the stakes are very high indeed. The test material will end up crowding out the much more important—and much more challenging—aspects of civics education. 

We should not waste students’ time requiring them to memorize a list. Instead, we should ensure that all students receive a high-quality civics education that gives them deeper knowledge, connects civics to their lives, and inspires them to participate politically and civically in the first place.

—Diana Hess
Dean, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

^{*Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government}