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Utah teenagers may want to start brushing up on their U.S. government trivia.
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that would require students to pass a civics test before graduating from high school.
If state lawmakers sign off on the idea, a student would need to earn a score of 60 percent or higher on a 100-question test given to people applying for citizenship in the United States.
Lorena Riffo-Jenson, co-chairwoman of the Utah Civics Education Initiative, said she took the test herself in 1993 after moving to the United States from Chile.
She said requiring students to demonstrate a basic understanding of U.S. government is a first step toward promoting civic engagement in the state.
"In order for any of us to be part of our community, our country, our nation, we must know the basics," she said.
Bill sponsor Sen. Howard Stephenson said the test requirement is not intended to be a burden on teachers and schools. The Draper Republican said students should prepare for the test themselves and would be free to take it multiple times if necessary.
"As a minimum, a student on his or her own should learn these 100 questions and these 100 answers just as a matter of living in this country," he said.
A recent poll by UtahPolicy.com found strong public support for the bill. More than 80 percent of poll respondents said they were either "somewhat" or "strongly" in favor of requiring students to pass a civics test prior to graduation.