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SB 2184

United States Citizenship Test; require as a condition for high school graduation.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Hill

SB 2184 requires Mississippi high school students to pass the U.S. Citizenship Test to graduate, raising questions about test suitability and potential equity impacts on diverse student populations.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 2184

Legislative bill overview

SB 2184 would require all Mississippi high school students to pass the United States Citizenship Test as a mandatory condition for graduation. The test is the same civics assessment administered to immigrants seeking naturalization, covering U.S. history, government structure, and constitutional principles.

Why is this important

This proposal directly impacts educational requirements and graduation standards for approximately 100,000+ Mississippi high school students annually. It raises questions about civics education priorities, whether naturalization tests appropriately measure high school-level knowledge, and potential effects on graduation rates for students struggling with the material.

Potential points of contention

  • Test appropriateness: The citizenship test focuses on immigration-relevant content and may not align with state educational standards or comprehensive civics curricula already in place
  • Equity concerns: Students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and under-resourced schools may face disproportionate challenges meeting this requirement, potentially affecting graduation rates along demographic lines
  • Redundancy vs. gap: Unclear whether existing civics courses already cover this material adequately or if the mandate addresses a genuine knowledge gap in graduating students

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

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