Monongahela native, Purdue president wants civics test as graduation requirement
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Let’s hope they paid attention in high school civics.
If students at Purdue University didn’t master civics back then, they might find themselves in a bit of a bind.
Inside Higher Ed, a publication that follows higher education, is reporting Purdue President Mitch Daniels wants to make a passing grade on a civics test and a yet-to-be-determined demonstration of a student’s knowledge of U.S. law and history as a requirement for graduation at the Indiana university.
Daniels should know whereof he speaks when it comes to civics.
A Monongahela native and longtime Washington insider who served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, he was governor of Indiana from 2005-13. He was named Purdue president after he left the governor’s office.
Along the way, in 2011, Daniels penned a best seller, “Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans.”
No word on just what Purdue students might have to master if civics becomes a requirement for graduation. Proof of voter registration, mastering the questions candidates for U.S. citizenship must know and a certain book might be a good starting point.
While Pennsylvania’s public colleges have yet to adopt such requirements, a new law that takes effect in the 2020-21 school year will require that all Pennsylvania students in grades 8-12 be tested for civics knowledge.