High school students would be required to pass a civics exam under proposed legislation

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Intro:	High school students would be required to take the same exam immigrants take to become citizens under legislation presented to a Senate committee Wednesday.
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Wrap: Republican Senator Jeanie Riddle is the sponsor of a bill that she says takes the future of this country into account.

The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on bills that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate.

Riddle says the civics test better prepares students to be active participants in government.

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Description: "For our government to function properly for years to come, our children and grandchildren must be active and knowledgeable participants. If the citizens of this state and country choose not to be knowledgeable or at least active participants then our government will never be of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Students would be required to get at least a sixty percent on the exam.

The committee took no action on the bills.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	Missouri high school students would be required to pass an exam on the United States Government under legislation presented to a Senate committee Wednesday.
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Wrap: Republican Senator Jeanie Riddle charges current tests given to high school students don't work.

Senators on the Education Committee discussed bills that would revise current Missouri law to require high school student to pass a civics exam to graduate.

Riddle is the sponsor of one of the bills. She says despite the change in tests, teachers are doing their jobs.

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Description: "The question then becomes are the current tests sufficient to validate that they truly know their government and how it works. I think the evidence shows they are not and it's because they don't take it seriously."

Students would be required to get at least a sixty percent on the exam.

The committee took no action on the bills.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	Missouri high school students would be required to pass the same exam as immigrants to become citizens.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on bills that would require Missouri high school students to pass a civics exam with at least a sixty percent to graduate.

Bill Erling is a retired social studies teacher. He says he doesn't think the tests need to be changed.

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Description: "Students would not have to know anything about state or local government. I believe it is important for students to have this knowledge to be able to exercise the knowledge with the governments closest to them - state and local."

The committee took no action on the bills.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.