Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law late Wednesday that will require high school graduates in Oklahoma to pass a citizenship test before they can receive their diploma.
The bill’s proponents say taking the citizenship test will prevent rioting and looting.
House Bill 2030 was authored by Rep. Terry O’Donnell of Catoosa. As the bill was shepherded through the legislative process, he said it would ensure high school graduates are better engaged and be less likely to participate in civil unrest.
The new law also implements some new academic standards. It mandates students study primary documents like the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Emancipation Proclamation.
Democrats who opposed the legislation, say students are already exposed to much of this material and it will create an undue burden on educators.
High schoolers will need to begin passing the test to graduate in the 2022-23 school year.
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