Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, Act 478 of 2017 requires all students seeking a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma pass the Arkansas Civics Exam with a score of 60% or higher.  In accordance with policies approved by the Arkansas State Board of Education, ADE has developed an online version of the Arkansas Civics Exam to be utilized by all public high schools in the state.  Arkansas public schools who serve students in grades 9-12 must review the policy guidance for the Arkansas Civics Exam attached to this memo. 

School districts will assign a Civics Exam Coordinator for each 9-12 building where the exam will be administered. Districts must identify a Civics Exam Coordinator here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m6y2sQfu0LugwcOzmU89kWkIYkmzVVUKYvjinxsERgA/edit?usp=sharing.  The Civics Exam Coordinator will submit a Cognos report through the portal for student registration and provide support to classroom teachers administering the Arkansas Civics Exam. 

ADE has developed a video to assist with implementation of the Arkansas Civics Exam.  It contains information regarding format and structure of the exam, testing accommodations, and next steps.  We encourage districts to share this information with appropriate personnel.  This video along with additional information about the Arkansas Civics Exam, including the ADE Civics Exam policy document and instructions with the online system, can be found on the ADE website at:

https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/learning-services/curriculum-support/arkansas-civics-exam.

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