State Senator Lydia Brasch of Bancroft would like school districts in Nebraska to get back to the basics, especially when it comes to civics, government, history and social studies.  She is sponsoring LB 1069 that expands on the current Americanism statute on the books. Brasch says the public also needs to have a say in what is being taught.

The biggest change would come in the form of an exam.  Students would be required to take and pass the same test given to immigrants seeking citizenship.  Brasch says the goal is to install civic responsibility and a sense of patriotism in all students.

Since 1949 there has been an Americanism statute on the books that require districts to establish committees that hold meetings three times a year.  That isn’t the case and Brasch would like to see that statue upheld.