PIERRE, S.D. (KJJQ) – The Senate Education Committee passed the Governor’s Civics Test.

It requires all South Dakota high school students to pass a U.S. Citizenship Test before graduating.

It started out as a 50 questions, but was amended in the House to 10 questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test. The Committee Tuesday passed an amendment to restore the original bill and 50 questions.

Interim Secretary of Education, Dr. Ben Jones, testified in favor of the test.

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Several education groups were against the House amendments, but had supported the original bill and asked that it be restored.

Senator Troy Heinert of Mission says he has some concerns with the idea. He says the current board of education standards are already good.

Senator Jim Bolin of Canton says this process is a civics lesson.

The bill, back in its original form, passed 5-2 and is headed to the Senate floor.