WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Attorney General Derek Schmidt is proposing an initiative to improve Kansas middle school students’ civic knowledge.

Schmidt has asked the State Board of Education to integrate the U.S. naturalization test as an educational tool in the state’s classrooms.

The idea would establish a voluntary system where middle school students would take the test immigrants must pass to become citizens. Those who successfully complete the exam would be recognized.

Schmidt’s proposal was inspired partly by the Joe Foss Institute, an Arizona-based nonprofit that aims to make passing the U.S. Citizenship exam a high-school graduation requirement in all 50 states by 2017.

The state board didn’t take action after hearing Schmidt’s presentation at this week’s hearing in Topeka. Board members say they plan to discuss the recommendation further.

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Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle