Civics Test Graduation Requirements
WI Act 55 (2015) is the 2015-17 biennial state budget. There is a requirement in Act 55 that any students graduating from a Wisconsin high school (starting with the class of 2017) "takes a civics test comprised of 100 questions that are identical to the 100 questions that may be asked of an individual during the process of applying for U.S. citizenship by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the pupil correctly answers at least 65 of those questions." (Section 3266R, 118.33(1m)(a)1.)
If you followed the news recently, you've probably heard that included in the Wisconsin State Budget is a new graduation requirement for all students in Wisconsin starting the 2016-2017 school year. This new addition states that all graduating students must have taken a Civics Test (modeled after the Naturalization Test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and received 65 questions correct out of 100.
This test is a graduation requirement, not a state assessment. As such, DPI will not be developing, distributing, or grading any assessment based on this graduation requirement. Local districts are responsible for finding/writing the test and determining where it best fits in their local curriculum. The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies has made it our mission to provide you with resources and information so that you can develop, prepare, and administer the Civics Test to your students.
We have received recent information confirming that the Civics Test
Naturalization Test Resources and Information
PDF of Test Questions and Answers
Flashcard Study Video
Kahoot Review Game
Quizlet
Resources in Other Languages
Wisconsin Sample Tests can be found in the membership only links
Q&A with Kris McDaniels
WCSS cannot alter the Biennial State Budget, so please direct any concerns or suggestions about this graduation requirement to your Wisconsin representative. To find your representative, click here! We may be able to help your district or teachers if you have any questions though. Please send those below.
This test is a graduation requirement, not a state assessment. As such, DPI will not be developing, distributing, or grading any assessment based on this graduation requirement. Local districts are responsible for finding/writing the test and determining where it best fits in their local curriculum. The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies has made it our mission to provide you with resources and information so that you can develop, prepare, and administer the Civics Test to your students.
We have received recent information confirming that the Civics Test
- Students, starting with the class of 2017, must correctly answer at least 65 of 100 questions identical to the INS citizenship test in order to graduate from a WI public, charter, or private school participating in a parental choice program.
- Students with IEP's must take the test, but do not have to pass it in order to graduate.
- Students identified at LEP may take the test in their language of choice.
- It is up to the school/district what format to use, and when in the school year to administer the test.
- There are no state funds to supplement this test. DPI is not involved in the procurement, grading, or gathering of test scores for this test. Districts are responsible to give the test, score it, and keep records of student scores/passing.
Naturalization Test Resources and Information
PDF of Test Questions and Answers
Flashcard Study Video
Kahoot Review Game
Quizlet
Resources in Other Languages
Wisconsin Sample Tests can be found in the membership only links
Q&A with Kris McDaniels
WCSS cannot alter the Biennial State Budget, so please direct any concerns or suggestions about this graduation requirement to your Wisconsin representative. To find your representative, click here! We may be able to help your district or teachers if you have any questions though. Please send those below.