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HB 6012

Education: graduation requirements; civics examination; require. Amends sec. 1166 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1166).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona and 22 co-sponsors

Michigan requires a high school civics course and an 80/128 USCIS civics test pass to graduate, with exemptions for some students.

bill electronically reproduced 05/21/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6012

Summary of HB 6012 (Michigan) — 2025-2026 Session

Purpose and intent

HB 6012 aims to strengthen civics education in Michigan public and nonpublic high schools by establishing a mandatory civics course and incorporating civics content aligned with the U.S. naturalization civics test. The bill would amend section 1166 of the Michigan Revised School Code to codify civics requirements and align state standards with federal civics content.

Key provisions and changes

  • Civics course requirement (high school): Beginning in high school, students must complete a 1-semester civics course (5 periods per week) that covers:
    • The form and functions of federal, state, and local governments
    • Rights and responsibilities of citizens
    • A diploma must not be issued to a student who has not successfully completed this course.
    • The requirement does not apply to students who have enlisted or been inducted into military service.
  • Curriculum alignment with the naturalization test: The state board must revise the high school social studies standards to cover content equivalent to the civics portion of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization test as of December 1, 2016. The standards should be updated if USCIS revises its civics test.
  • Assessment alignment: Starting with the first state high school social studies assessment after standards are revised, the superintendent of public instruction must ensure the assessment includes learning objectives aligned with the revised standards or with the USCIS civics test content. The assessment may incorporate USCIS questions and must not add extra testing time beyond existing schedules.
  • Graduation timing (civics test requirement): Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, school boards must require students to pass the USCIS civics test with a minimum score of 80 out of 128 to earn a credit described in this section. There are exemptions for:
    • Students with an individualized education program (IEP) team determination that the student cannot complete the test
    • Students who have enlisted or been inducted into military service

Who/what is affected

  • Students: High school students in public and nonpublic schools (subject to military service exemptions and IEP determinations) would be affected by the civics course requirement and the civics test graduation requirement.
  • School districts and academies: Districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies would be responsible for implementing the civics course, ensuring alignment with standards, and administering the civics test requirement starting in 2027-2028.
  • State education authorities: State board, superintendent of public instruction, and the state curriculum content standards process would update standards and assessments to align with the USCIS civics test where applicable.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective and implementation timeline:
    • Standards alignment with the USCIS civics test: to be completed by May 1, 2018 or the next standards update after the bill’s effective date, whichever occurs first (note: the 2018 date reflects the bill's drafting timeline; actual implementation would depend on subsequent legislative action and state board updates).
    • First alignment-driven assessment: beginning with the first state high school social studies assessment after the revised standards are in place.
    • Civics test graduation requirement: begins in the 2027-2028 school year.
  • Exemptions: IEP-determined inability to complete the test and military service enlistment/induction.

Additional context

The bill references existing framework (state recommended standards via section 1278 and the IEP definition via section 1704) and explicitly allows content to be drawn from USCIS civics test material, subject to updates if USCIS revises its test.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposal to current Michigan civics requirements or summarize potential cost and implementation considerations for districts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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