SB161 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school

Summary

Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, Alabama requires students graduating from high school or earning a GED to pass a civics test identical to the naturalization civics test (60 correct of 100 questions).

What This Bill Does

It would require students to correctly answer at least 60 of 100 questions on a civics test identical to the naturalization civics test in order to graduate or receive a high school equivalency diploma. The test administration method is up to local boards, and students may retake the test until they pass; the transcript must show the completion of the civics test. There is a special education exception that waives the passing requirement unless the IEP specifies it, and the SBOE will provide the test to nonpublic high school students and may charge a reasonable fee; rules to implement the bill will be issued by the SBOE.

Who It Affects

• Public high school students (and students pursuing a high school equivalency diploma) in Alabama: must pass the civics test with a 60/100 passing score to graduate; their transcripts must reflect completion; retakes are allowed; some special education students may have exceptions as described in the bill.
• Nonpublic (private) high school students in Alabama: the State Board of Education must make the civics test available to them and may charge a reasonable fee to cover costs.

Key Provisions

• Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, graduation (or GED) requires correctly answering at least 60 of 100 questions on a civics test identical to the naturalization civics test.
• The local board of education determines how the civics test is administered; a student may retake the test until a passing score is achieved; the transcript must document passing completion.
• Special education students are not required to pass the civics test to graduate unless the IEP requires it or the student is 18 or older and the requirement applies in a specific academic area.
• The State Board of Education must make the civics test available to nonpublic high school students and may charge a reasonable fee to cover costs.
• The State Board of Education will promulgate rules to implement this section.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor (or otherwise becoming law).

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