Academic Standards FAQs
What is the Alabama Arts Initiative?
The goal of the Alabama Arts Education initiative is to assure that quality comprehensive arts education programs are established in schools throughout the state providing opportunities for students to learn in, about and through the Arts. A comprehensive arts education program prepares students to think creatively, solve problems, work cooperatively and develop skills critical for success in the 21st century.
When does the Civics Test law go into effect?
In the 2018-2019 academic school year.
Do LEAs have to report to the Alabama State Department of Education what students have passed or failed the civics test?
Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) collect the data and issue a diploma only to students who have passed. LEAs must also record student passage, failure, or waiver information into the Powerschool system.
What if the student transfers in from another state and has taken the government course in another grade besides 12th grade?
If a student transfers into the state from another state and has taken government in an earlier grade, an LEA can determine when to administer the Civics Test to the student.
Can this be administered at the end of the 10th or 11th grade? Or does it need to be during 12th grade?
According to SB32 students should begin taking the test in their government course. “Relating to K-12 education; beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, to require students to successfully pass a civics test as a required component for completing the government course required in the high school course of study.”
What happens if a student fails the citizenship test?
Civics test requirements may be waived by the chief school administrator for good cause for any student in the graduating class. A student having taken and failed the civics test two (2) times and having a passing score in government shall be considered good cause.
Are there other sites that have practice tests and resources?
- The Civics Education Initiative https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/civicedinitiative.asp
- Joe Foss Institute https://cptl.asu.edu/JFI_Joins_CPTL
- US Citizenship Support Online https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
- iCivics https://www.icivics.org/
- The Center for Civic Education https://primarysources.icivics.org/why-primary-sources/
- The National Constitution Center https://constitutioncenter.org/