Teacher says Iowa students should pass civics exam before graduating

DES MOINES - A high school English teacher thinks Iowa high school graduates should know as much about their government as immigrants must know to become naturalized citizens.

Rep. Jeremy Taylor, R-Sioux City, wants to require students to pass a 100-question civics exam before graduating from high school. They could take the test more than once but must score 75 percent to pass.

When his wife became a naturalized citizen, Taylor gave his students the test and was shocked by how few could name Iowa's two U.S. senators or knew the state capital is Des Moines.

“We had a spirited debate here in the legislature about the independence of the judiciary, but if they don't know there are three branches of government, how are they going to participate in the political process,” Taylor said.

HF 24 will move to the full Education Committee.

- Dan Bowerman, Lee Enterprise Des Moines Bureau