According to Fountain Hills High School Principal Tom Brennan, local students appear to be well-prepared for full implementation of the Arizona Department of Education’s civics testing.

For a little backstory, the American Civics Act of 2015 requires all students to pass a civics test in order to graduate. The test is based on the US Immigration and Naturalization civics questions, according to Brennan’s presentation at the April 27 meeting, and will become a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2017.

The test consists of 100 questions and students may attempt the test as many times as necessary to pass before graduation. Brennan explained that the district is responsible for developing its own testing implementation plan and protocols.

According to Brennan, the test “aligns well with social studies courses taught in eighth, eleventh and twelfth grades” and, moving forward, students will have their first opportunity to take the test during their eighth grade year. Additional opportunities will be provided throughout high school, if a student does not pass.

The initial test was given to local eighth grades students on March 3. A total of 118 students were tested and 104 passes, or 88 percent. The average test score was a 77 percent.

High school eleventh grade students were also tested and, as Brennan pointed out during his presentation, the numbers were surprisingly similar.

A total of 114 students were tested with 100, or 88 percent, passing. The average score on the test was 78 percent.

Juniors needing to re-take the test are being given another chance this week, May 4-6.

Moving forward, Brennan said that incoming freshmen who need to pass the test will be tracked at FHHS until they are successful.