BOISE, Idaho – A bill that would require Idaho students to pass a basic civics exam to graduate high school is quickly moving through the state legislature.

Senate Bill 1071, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Patrick, would require high school students to pass the same civics test as immigrants seeking citizenship in order to graduate. The bill was approved by an Idaho Senate committee and is scheduled for a vote before the full body next week, KIVI-KNIN reports.

“Civics is at the heart of understanding what it means to be an American. How can our young people become engaged and active citizens if they do not understand our history, our political traditions, and our system of government?” Patrick questioned, according to the news site.

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“Evidence has shown that too many American kids don’t have a basic command of foundational civics, but I believe in Idaho our kids will do better and we will help them do better.”

KIVI reports Arizona already has a similar law, and measures to include the civics test graduation requirement are also under consideration in 18 other states.

In Idaho, students graduating in the 2016-17 school year would need to correctly answer 60 out of 100 questions on the test to pass, and that threshold would increase to 70 percent for 2017-18 graduates, according to the legislation.

The bill would let school districts determine how to administer the test, which would be available to students in whole or part after seventh grade, the Idaho Press-Tribune reports.

“I believe the civics requirements in the legislation is a duty of all Americans,” Patrick told the news site. “Currently, only 50 percent (of Americans) can pass this simple test with a 70 percent requirement. To maintain a free country, we must have an understanding of these basic facts.”

Questions on the test, which is the same as aspiring citizens must pass to gain residency status, will include questions like, “Who was the president during World War II?” and “Name one branch or part of the government,” according to KIVI.

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Idaho Statesman columnist Robert Ehlert also supports SB 1071.

“Though there’s already criticism about Patrick’s bill – some believe civics is getting its due in Idaho classrooms – I can’t see the harm in students being as well versed about our civics test as are new citizens,” he wrote.

“Though low voter turnout is complicated – only 38 percent of eligible Idahoans voted in November (the first time it dipped below 40 percent) – we need a multifaceted strategy to re-energize our state and country about civic engagement.”

Readers who commented about the civics test online were split on the idea.

“A required civics test would inevitably improve understanding of government, which, in turn, should improve the process of government. In essence, low-information voters, ignorance and superficiality have taken a stronghold on our system. People, more than ever before, are voting based on political spin and party identification rather than an understanding of the issues and processes. A civics test could be a good start to improving both curriculum and civic engagement,” Chuck Davis posted to Facebook.

But Fred Byers, a teacher from Oregon, doesn’t believe the civics test for students and the test for immigrants is the same thing. Nor does he believe it would produce more engaged citizens.

“Naturalized citizens aren’t asked 100 questions. They are asked 10 in an oral format,” Byers posted, citing the federal document spelling out that an applicant must correctly answer 6 of 10 to pass.

“So just on its surface this idea doesn’t really teach civics. The idea of civics is to teach civility. Our own elected leaders can’t be civil. They teach by their actions that laws are from some … and not for … them and those who are their donors,” he continued.

“When our elected officials act as statesmen (and women) then citizens will become more engaged. As long as they act like politicians, nothing will change for the better. That applies from the governor clear on down to school board members in little towns.”

Stephanie Erickson Price seemed to agree with Byers.

“If Sen. Patrick is concerned about civic knowledge maybe he should introduce a bill requiring all elected public office holders to take and pass a civics test before they take the oath of office,” she posted. “It seems a large number of them need to be taught about the separation of church and state and the Bill of Rights.”