This bill amends West Virginia Code §18-2-9 to mandate that all high school students in the state must pass a civics examination, specifically the civics portion of the United States Naturalization Examination, as a requirement for graduation. The bill stipulates that students must take this test at some point between the 9th grade and graduation, and they must successfully pass it prior to graduating. If students do not pass the test, they will have the opportunity to retake it at the beginning of each month during their junior and senior years until they achieve a passing score. Additionally, students will be required to complete a civics class that includes instruction on the West Virginia Constitution.

The bill also updates the timeline for when this requirement will take effect, changing it from the 2018-2019 school year to the 2025-2026 school year. The testing results will be reported in aggregate to the county board for evaluation purposes, but the bill clarifies that this requirement does not create a standard subject to state accountability measures. Overall, the bill aims to enhance civics education and ensure that students have a foundational understanding of American government and civic responsibilities before they graduate.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-9