Monongahela native, Purdue president wants civics test as graduation requirement

Let’s hope they paid attention in high school civics.

If students at Purdue University didn’t master civics back then, they might find themselves in a bit of a bind.

Inside Higher Ed, a publication that follows higher education, is reporting Purdue President Mitch Daniels wants to make a passing grade on a civics test and a yet-to-be-determined demonstration of a student’s knowledge of U.S. law and history as a requirement for graduation at the Indiana university.

Daniels should know whereof he speaks when it comes to civics.

A Monongahela native and longtime Washington insider who served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, he was governor of Indiana from 2005-13. He was named Purdue president after he left the governor’s office.

Along the way, in 2011, Daniels penned a best seller, “Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans.”

No word on just what Purdue students might have to master if civics becomes a requirement for graduation. Proof of voter registration, mastering the questions candidates for U.S. citizenship must know and a certain book might be a good starting point.

While Pennsylvania’s public colleges have yet to adopt such requirements, a new law that takes effect in the 2020-21 school year will require that all Pennsylvania students in grades 8-12 be tested for civics knowledge.