Iowa high school students would have to pass the U.S. citizenship test in order to graduate if a bill that cleared the Iowa Senate becomes law. Senator Jerry Behn, a Republican from Boone, says students would be able to take the exam once a year, starting in 7th grade, giving them plenty of time to pass it.

 

Senator Tod Bowman, a Democrat from Maquoketa, is a high school teacher who says the questions in the exam are too easy.

 

Bowman says exam has nothing to do with showing a student knows how American government works or is inspired to fulfill their civic duty.

The bill passed the Senate on a 38-to-12, but may not pass the House.