Although the proposed legislation has not made it through committee, the thought of additional testing at the high school level is being met with trepidation from local officials.
The proposed test would be the same one the immigrants are given through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain citizenship. Students would be required to correctly answer 60 out of 100 questions pertaining to topics including the Constitution, the three branches of government, the names of the president and vice president, and the Declaration of Independence. Arizona was reportedly the first state to pass such a law last week. The test is being pushed by the Joe Foss Institute in Scottsdale, whose mission is for all states to require the test by 2017.
"I've been reading through some of the bill. I think the only thing that concerns me is the additional testing and costs behind that," Barr-Reeve Superintendent Travis Madison said. "The rationale is to make sure we teach kids the importance of being good citizens, understanding what that means and how fortunate they are to have the opportunities they have. I don't have anything against that at all."
The testing wouldn't be a completely new concept to Barr-Reeve students, who are taught civics at the junior high level and also take government and U.S. history classes in high school. Although not required by the state, the test is already a part of their high school government classes.
"We take that citizenship test during the first week of every semester. We also take a historical literacy test like the one that was given in the south before blacks were allowed vote. Financial literacy is another thing we do. A lot of what they're doing, we already incorporate. I would need to see the test, but initially it sounds like duplication to me," B-R social studies teacher Mike DeCoursey said.
He did note in general his students perform well on the tests, but are often surprised at the difficulties involved in becoming citizens.
Likewise, Washington Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Roach echoed concerns about the state mandating another test. At the last school board meeting on Jan. 15, Assistant Superintendent Paul White addressed the board regarding the rigorous curriculum and technological changes being made to this year's ISTEP testing. This spring, students will complete a written portion in March followed by computerized multiple choice testing in late April. White noted a literacy coach was being brought in to work with teachers who can then apply those lessons to prepare students in the next few weeks.
"Given the number of testing changes that are occurring within K-12 schools I would be hesitant to advocate for one more test," Roach said. "Not only is there an additional expense involved, but at some point it will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the numerous testing upgrades before more is added to the plate."
North Daviess Junior/Senior High Principal Jed Jerrels shared a similar stance as the other area schools in regards to additional testing. However, he did note the students were well-versed in the subject matter. North Daviess, like all other public schools in the state, require students to complete U.S. History and Government before graduating. North Daviess students are also taught citizenship and work ethics lessons through project-based learning, according to Jerrels.
"I would say our kids would probably do well on it. I think all high schools in Indiana would do well," he said noting the current state standards.
However, he did agree the additional testing and financial burdens could be costly for the corporation and statewide.
"I'm not really sure its going to do what they (the state) want it to do. The concern over another test is an issue I would have," Jerrels elaborated. "Representative (Timothy) Wesco said everything is falling through the cracks. We have a lot of standards we're covering and I don't think anything is falling through the cracks."
"Obviously if it's throw back on the schools, that's a huge cost. I wouldn't hazard to guess what that would be. It would have to be funded through the state like the other standardized tests."
©2015 Washington Times-Herald (Washington, Ind.)
