April 18, 2025
Greetings from the Golden Dome! Spring is here and everyone is excited to get corn in the ground and enjoy the weather. The change of seasons also means a change of pace for our legislative session. We are now entering budget negotiation time which means we are getting close to done, but there are still some policy bills we must pass. The highlight for me this week was having the honor and privilege to floor manage SF 369, the U.S. Civics Test Requirement Bill.
There are some obvious things we expect people to know and understand about the world to have the ability to function properly in society. We expect people to know that 2+2=4. We expect when people acquire a driver’s license the driver will know what a stop sign is and why they are needed. We should also expect our citizens to know basic things about our government.
Unfortunately, research shows that only around 1/3 of our nation’s population can even name the three branches of government. Requiring our students to pass the U.S. Citizenship/Civics test is one small thing we can do to gain better data and ensure our graduates are ready to succeed in the world. These types of tests are commonly used around the country. If the Governor signs this bill, Iowa will become the 23rd state to have some sort of requirement like this test to graduate.
Starting in the 2026-27 school year, this civics test will be administered by all schools in Iowa, both private and public. Each student will have to score 60 percent or better, and if they fail, they will be offered the test as many times as needed for them to pass. A school may modify the test for students with IEPs, 504 plans, or other significant disabilities. The last part of the bill requires the Department of Education to update this test as well as provide a study to the General Assembly on the results every five years.
I believe more civics education is critical in helping us create a more civil society. Civics education empowers people to know their rights and their responsibilities. All too often we hear people talk about their rights, but have no idea where they come from, or what their personal responsibility is in maintaining those rights. I doubt this civics test will solve this issue, but it certainly won’t hurt. When we grow in knowledge of how unique and special our form of government is, we will also grow in gratitude, and I think we all can agree our world desperately needs this change in attitude.
As session appears to be winding down, please reach out to me for questions, conversations, or a Capitol tour. I would love to meet you and hear what is on your mind. My email is jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov. Happy trails until we meet again at the next Capitol Roundup.
