SF0114 • 2023

Constitutional instruction and examination requirements.

AN ACT relating to education; modifying the state and federal constitutional instruction required in public schools; requiring passing an additional examination for high school graduation; and providing for an effective date.

Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Senator Laursen, D
Last action: 2023-01-26
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so the effective date of March 1, 2023, is no longer relevant.

Constitutional Instruction and Examination Requirements

The bill modifies the constitutional education requirements in Wyoming public schools and adds a civics test for high school graduation.

What This Bill Does

Modifies the requirement that students must study the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Wyoming state constitution.
Requires high school graduates to pass a citizenship test with at least a 60% score starting from the 12th grade in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Who It Names or Affects

Students in Wyoming public schools
Teachers who instruct on the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Wyoming state constitution

Terms To Know

Civics test: A test that measures knowledge about American government and history, similar to what new citizens must take.
Constitutional instruction: Teaching students about the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Wyoming state constitution.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in its current session.
It specifies that schools must teach these subjects for three years but does not specify what happens if a student fails to meet the requirements.
The exact content of the civics test is not detailed in this legislation.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0114S2001

2nd reading • Senator Hutchings

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the required passing score for an additional examination needed for high school graduation from sixty percent to seventy percent.

Changes the minimum passing score on an additional exam required for high school graduation from 60% to 70%.

The amendment does not provide details about which specific examination is being referred to or what changes this might mean for students.

SF0114S3001

3rd reading • Senator Hutchings

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the required passing score for an additional examination needed for high school graduation from sixty percent to eighty percent.

Changes the minimum passing score on an additional exam required for high school graduation from 60% to 80%.

The amendment does not provide details about which specific examination is being referred to or what changes this might mean for students.

SF0114SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Education Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes the requirement for public schools to teach subjects other than constitutional instruction and deletes a line about an additional examination needed for high school graduation.

Removes the phrase 'constitutional and other' from the bill, meaning only constitutional instruction will be required in public schools.
Deletes a sentence on page 3 that mentions an additional examination requirement for high school graduation.

The amendment's text does not provide details about what specific changes are made to the existing language or how it affects current educational requirements beyond these deletions.

Bill History

2023-01-26 Senate
S 3rd Reading:S Bill Reconsideration Motion Failed by Roll Call 14-17-0-0-0
2023-01-26 Senate
S 3rd Reading:Failed 15-16-0-0-0
2023-01-25 Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2023-01-24 Senate
S COW:Passed
2023-01-20 Senate
S Placed on General File
2023-01-20 Senate
S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0
2023-01-16 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education
2023-01-16 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2023-01-13 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

23LSO-0356
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0356
Introduced
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0114

Constitutional instruction and examination requirements.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Laursen, D, Biteman, Driskill, French, Ide, McKeown, Salazar and Steinmetz and Representative(s) Bear, Davis, Haroldson, Heiner, Rodriguez-Williams, Smith and Zwonitzer, Dn

A BILL

for

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 21
‑
9
‑
102 is amended to read:

21
‑
9
‑
102.

Instruction in state and federal constitutions required; satisfactory examinations prerequisite to graduation.

All schools and colleges in this state that are supported in any manner by public funds shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States constitution
, the bill of rights, amendments to the United States constitution
and the constitution of the state of Wyoming, including the study of and devotion to American institution and ideals, and no student shall receive a high school diploma, associate degree or baccalaureate degree without satisfactorily passing an examination on the principles of the constitution of the United States and the state of Wyoming.
For students graduating in the 2023
‑
2024 school year and each school year thereafter, no student shall receive a high school diploma from a Wyoming school district without also passing the civics test required to become a United States citizen by the United States citizenship and immigration services with a score of at least sixty percent (60%).
The
constitutional and other
instruction
required in this section
shall be given
for at least three (3) years
each academic year
in kindergarten through grade
eight (8)
twelve (12)
and for one (1) year
each
in
the secondary and college grades
any higher education degree, certificate or program for which the coursework requires one (1) year or more of full
‑
time study
.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

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SF0114