DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa House Republicans made several education bills eligible for debate on the Iowa House floor on Tuesday evening.

The Iowa House Education committee advanced one bill, House Study Bill 30, The bill requires that a student must score a 60% on the U.S. citizenship and immigration naturalization civics test to graduate high school.

Both public and nonpublic schools would have to abide if signed into law by the governor, which directs the state board of education to adopt the rules.

Students in grade 9 through 12 would have to answer 10 questions in multiple choice format for the civics test. The bill states that students are able to retake the assessment as many times as necessary.

“The problem is, we’re making this contingent on graduation. We’re making it six questions to determine whether this is going to actually impact their concern about American government and American history. I don’t believe it does,” said State Representative Tom Moore (R) District 18 from Griswold.

Moore was an American history and world history teacher for 33 years. He was the only House Republican that voted against the proposal.

Moore added that he thought American history should be expanded to a whole year, not just a semester that is required in current curriculum standards.

“As much as I agree with Rep. Moore that we need better and probably more in-depth courses, keep in mind that students are taking a variety of courses,” said State Representative Robert Henderson (R) District 2, Sioux City. “There are plenty of students who have graduated from high school who cannot read and write. Going through a course does not guarantee knowledge.”

Rep. Henderson said that he had comments about 60% being a low mark to pass. He said he took the test and missed a question because of the wording, adding that the 60% is a threshold for instances like he had when taking it.

The bill is now able to be brought forward for debate on the Iowa House floor.

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