On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, the PA House approved an amended version of HB 564 by a vote of 167-27.  The PA Senate had unanimously amended and approved the bill the previous day. HB 564 mandates a locally developed test of U.S. history, government and civics be given to seventh- through 12th-graders. The House had originally passed its version of the bill on April 16 by a 191-4 vote.

According to the bill,  school districts would administer a citizenship test at least once to students. The exams would test each student’s understanding of the “nature, purpose, principles and structure of the United States constitutional democracy… and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.” Students who score perfect on the exam will be awarded a certificate developed by the state Education Department.

A school district can use the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Test to satisfy the requirements for the office, and schools will be required to report how many students took the test and how many passed. However, passing the test would not be a graduation requirement.

Governor Wolf has publicly stated his intent to sign the bill.