Representative Elijah Haahr says he's confident bill requiring high school civics exam will pass

Intro:	Under a prefiled bill Missouri high school students would have to take a civics exam similar to the test required of those who wish to become U.S. citizens in order to graduate.
RunTime:	0:39
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Representative Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, is sponsoring a bill that would make a civics test a high school graduation requirement.

The test would consist of the same 100 questions that are asked to those trying to become U.S. citizens. Students could take it anytime while they're in high school.

Actuality:	HAAHRA.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: It's something that, if people who want to become Americans have to take that test, then it's incumbent on us to require our own citizens to live up to that same standard. So they would be required to take it at anytime between freshman and senior year of high school.

Haahr says he believes there is bipartisan and urban and rural support for this bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Intro:	A bill prefiled for the 2016 legislative session would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Representative Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, is sponsoring this bill.

The civics test required by the bill would consist of the same 100 questions that are given to those wishing to become U.S. citizens.

Students would be able to take the test anytime between their freshman and senior year.

According to Haahr, Missouri is not the first state to consider this type of graduation requirement.

Actuality:	HAAHRB.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: I think 8 to 10 other states have now passed it. The believe, kinda moving around the country that it's something it just makes good sense for our students.

Haahr says he believes there is plenty of support for the bill to pass in 2016.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Intro:	A prefiled bill would require all high school students in Missouri to take a civics exam to graduate.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: A House bill sponsored by Representative Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, would require a civics test that would administer the same 100 questions given to people trying to become U.S. citizens.

Haahr says 8 to 10 states have passed similar bills.

Actuality:	HAAHRC.WAV
Run Time:	00:16
Description: My belief is that this is a bill that should get good traction early, and that the leadership will move it because it seems like it has bipartisan support, urban and rural support, and it's one that we believe that will not receive a significant amount of controversy.

If passed, the bill would allow high school students to take this test at anytime between their freshman and senior year.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.