A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.
Summary
HB 1160 requires Indiana schools to administer the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization examination as part of civics instruction and, later, as a graduation requirement. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each school must give the exam in grade 8, and beginning in the 2030-2031 school year, high schools must administer it as part of the United States government credit. The bill also requires the Department of Education to report annual participation and pass-rate data to the General Assembly and to post the pass rate on its website for a limited period.
The bill further provides that students in cohorts expected to graduate in 2031 or later must score at least 70% on the naturalization exam to graduate from high school. Students may retake the exam if they do not meet the threshold, and students with an individualized education program who earn a certificate of completion may receive an academic waiver. The measure applies to public schools, including charter schools, and state-accredited nonpublic schools.
Impact
HB 1160 would amend Indiana education law by adding the naturalization exam to required curriculum and creating a new graduation condition for later cohorts. It changes IC 20-30-5 and adds new sections to IC 20-30-5 and IC 20-32-4, while also requiring statewide reporting by the Department of Education on exam participation and pass rates. The bill affects school corporations, charter schools, state-accredited nonpublic schools, students in grades 8 and high school, and students with disabilities who may qualify for an academic waiver.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a civics-education measure with a strong accountability component. The structure of the bill suggests support for standardized civic knowledge and public reporting, but no direct evidence of support or opposition from hearings is available in the provided record. The inclusion of retakes and waivers indicates an attempt to balance the new requirement with flexibility for students.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the new graduation requirement and whether a federal naturalization test is an appropriate measure of high school completion. Critics may question the fairness of requiring all students to pass an immigration-related exam, especially for students with disabilities, English learners, or those who may not plan to pursue citizenship. Supporters are likely to emphasize civics knowledge, consistency, and the bill’s waiver and retake provisions as safeguards.