SB105 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school

Summary

SB105 would require Alabama high school graduates and high school equivalency diploma recipients to pass a civics test identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test, starting in the 2016-2017 school year.

What This Bill Does

Starting in 2016-2017, students must correctly answer at least 60 of 100 civics questions to graduate or earn a high school equivalency diploma, and the school must record on the transcript that the civics test was passed. Local boards of education decide how to administer the test, and students may retake it until they pass. Special education students are exempt from passing unless their IEP requires it and they are at least 18; the State Board must make the test available to nonpublic high school students and may charge a reasonable fee. The State Board will issue necessary rules to implement this requirement, and the law takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Public high school students: must pass the civics test to graduate.
• Students seeking a high school equivalency diploma (GED): must pass the civics test to earn the diploma.
• Special education students: generally exempt from passing unless their IEP requires it for an area and the student is 18 or older.
• Nonpublic high school students: must have access to the civics test and may be charged a reasonable fee by the state.
• Local school boards: determine how the civics test is administered to students.

Key Provisions

• Require passing at least 60 of 100 questions on a civics test identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test for graduation or GED.
• Transcript must document that the student has passed the civics test.
• Local boards determine the method and manner of administering the test; retake allowed until passing.
• Special education exemptions apply unless the IEP requires passing for a specific academic area and the student is at least 18.
• State Board of Education must make the test available to nonpublic high school students and may charge a reasonable fee.
• State Board must promulgate rules to implement the section.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education