Former governors: Students must know basic civics

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Three former South Carolina governors are promoting legislation that encourages high school students to gain a basic knowledge of American civics.

Former Gov. Dick Riley says civics education must become a higher priority, calling it critical for the country’s future. The former U.S. education secretary says a practical way of stressing its importance is for students to take the same test that immigrants must pass to become a U.S. citizen.

That’s the proposal launched by the “South Carolina Civics Education Initiative” on Wednesday, the 227th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Riley and former Govs. Jim Hodges and James Edwards are among the co-chairmen.

They want the Legislature to pass a not-yet-written bill giving high school students extra points on their grade point average for passing the test.