Civics Test; require passing score for high school graduates and high school equivalency diploma applicants.

SB 2174 requires Mississippi high school graduates and high school equivalency diploma applicants to pass a civics test with a 60% score (60 out of 100 questions) based on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test. This applies to all high school students starting in the 2025-2026 school year and equivalency applicants beginning January 1, 2025. Students who fail can retake the test until they pass, and those who passed a similar test within the past three years are exempt. The bill does not change graduation credit requirements but adds this civics test as a mandatory component for earning a diploma.