Inquiry on Constitution Exam requirement

[Robert Bradley]

Hello:

At my institution, there is a graduation requirement for undergraduates to 
take and pass a Constitution Exam, which actually consists of two exams one 
on the U.S. Constitution and one on the Illinois Constitution. Students can 
get a waiver for the requirement if they take and pass a stipulated course, 
such as American Government. A basis for the requirement is a state law 
that states "no student shall receive a certificate of graduation without 
passing a satisfactory examination upon such subjects."[American patriotism 
and the principles of representative government as enunciated in the U.S. 
and Illinois Constitutions]. I have been invited to address a committee of 
my university's academic senate as to why this graduation requirement 
should be continued. The impetus for the invitation is from a group of 
students who seek to eliminate the requirement.

Several years ago some attention was given to efforts in some states to 
eliminate among public colleges and universities a similar requirement. In 
Illinois, there were reports that several public four-year institutions had 
essentially eliminated the Constitution Exam as a graduation requirement. I 
was wondering if anyone knew if those reports were accurate and what the 
results of efforts in other states amounted to. Also, I was wondering 
specifically if anyone knew of a court case or Illinois law that 
interpreted the scope of the previously cited state law, e.g it applies 
only to K-12 institutions or another interpretation. Finally, if anyone is 
willing to offer up suggestions for arguments to made in favor of such a 
graduation requirement I would gladly receive them. Responses can be sent 
directly to me at rbradley at ilstu.edu.

Thanks for your attention.

Bob
Professor
Dept. of Politics and Government