Requiring high school students to pass a test on the US Constitution to graduate from high school
Summary
HB2034 would add a new section to West Virginia education law requiring every high school student to pass a test on the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution as a condition of graduation. The test would be taken sometime during grades 9 through 12, and the State Board of Education would be responsible for creating and distributing the exam through local county boards of education.
The bill sets a relatively high standard for passing, requiring a score of 85 percent or better, and requires that the test content be made available to the public for review. Students who do not pass on the first attempt would be allowed to retake the test one week later and continue retaking it until they meet the threshold. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Impact
If enacted, HB2034 would create a new statewide graduation requirement and add a constitutional literacy test to the high school curriculum and assessment framework. It would place responsibility on the State Board of Education to design the exam, while local county boards would administer it to students. The bill would affect all public high school students in West Virginia and could require schools to adjust instruction, testing schedules, and graduation planning to ensure students have repeated opportunities to pass before graduation.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the limited available context, the measure appears to be framed positively as a civics and constitutional education initiative, with an emphasis on ensuring graduating students have a strong understanding of the U.S. Constitution. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support can be identified from legislative discussion. The overall tone of the bill is educational and standards-focused.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the new graduation requirement itself, the 85 percent passing threshold, and whether a statewide constitutional test is an appropriate or necessary condition for earning a diploma. Critics might question whether the requirement adds burden to students or schools, whether it could delay graduation for some students, and whether the State Board’s test content will be sufficiently rigorous and fair. Supporters would likely emphasize civics knowledge, constitutional literacy, and the bill’s repeated retake provisions as safeguards for students.
Supplementing and amending appropriations to the Higher Education Policy Commission, Higher Education Policy Commission – Administration – Control Account