Are you smarter than an eighth grader?

Eighth graders — In this April 18, 2014 photo, Annette Wells, center, takes questions in her 7th-8th grade language arts class at Komachin Middle School in Lacey, Wash.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Are you smarter than an eighth grader?

All Illinois 8th graders need to pass what’s known as a “Constitution test” to graduate.

In this April 18, 2014 photo, Annette Wells, center, takes questions in her 7th-8th grade language arts class at Komachin Middle School in Lacey, Wash.

By Micah Yason Dan Tucker

That’s right. All eighth graders in Illinois public schools need to take a test covering the Illinois and U.S. constitutions to graduate. Traditionally, schools have given tests with multiple choice or true-false questions, similar to this 15 question quiz WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times created. But now, school districts are moving away from that version and opting for short answer tests and other exams that require more critical thinking.

Reset discusses how civic education these days in Chicago and elsewhere is focusing less on dates and facts and stressing the important role students play in shaping democracy. Plus, we’ll see if a couple of our WBEZ colleagues can pass 8th grade.

GUESTS: Kate Grossman, WBEZ senior education editor

Brenda Ruiz, Reset producer

Dave Miska, WBEZ studio operations manager