HI HCR129

Urges the Department of Education to require students to pass the civics portion of the United States citizenship test as a condition for high school graduation or obtaining a high school diploma.

References Arizona's 2015 requirement that high school students pass the U.S. citizenship test on civics before graduation, with several other states subsequently adopting similar requirements.

Specifies that test questions are identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and cover topics in U.S. history, government, and the Constitution.

Requests that the Department of Education provide all ninth-grade students and above with at least one opportunity per school year to take the test and allow unlimited retakes to demonstrate proficiency.

Directs transmission of certified copies to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.