The state House of Representatives has voted to require civics exams for students in elementary, middle and high school.

House Bill 2579 is now under consideration in the Senate.

Unlike the WASL, however, these will be interactive project-based assessments scored by teachers in the classroom.

“A healthy and accountable democracy relies upon an informed and engaged electorate,” said the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Des Moines.

“This bill helps ensure that young people are taught their rights and responsibilities as citizens, where their rights and responsibilities come from, and how to exercise those rights.”

Upthegrove noted that civics is already part of the required curriculum in Washington’s public schools, but under current law schools are not required to test a student’s knowledge in civics.

Beginning in 2008-09, school districts throughout the state will be required to measure student's knowledge in civics.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction has already developed and pilot-tested a classroom based civics assessment. School districts may use the state assessment or may choose another testing method.

Funding is provided to help align existing programs such as We The People, Project Citizen, Model United Nations, Junior State, 4-H, or YMCA Youth in Government to state standards so those programs can function as assessment tools.