Some Kansas politicians are calling for more civics education – and tests – for high school students.

We all should aim to be better informed citizens.

If nothing else, the last few months proved that many Americans have little knowledge of American history, a poor understanding of the U.S. Constitution and no appreciation for the political dynamics that have shaped the nation.

I mean, when the president of the United States, Kansas senators and congressmen, state lawmakers and even the state’s top legal authority participate in or condone an attempted coup, we have a problem.

But I don’t know why we should be blaming teenagers.

Before passing yet another mandate for schools and children, let’s make sure our elected officials in Topeka and Washington know their stuff. Let’s make them pass a civics test.

Admittedly, I don’t have much experience in developing tests, but the civics exam I’d write would look something like this.

1. When your political party loses an election, you as an American are expected to:

A. Grouse, cuss and then accept the results.

B. Make up stories that your opponents cheated.

C.  Storm government offices and demand the government overturn voters’ decision.

The correct answer is A, despite what you hear from many conservatives, including some who think the rest of us require more instruction in civics.

2. The First Amendment protects:

A. The president’s right to a Twitter account.

B. Americans’ right to free speech and a free press — as well as the right to peacefully assemble, to petition the government, and freedom of religion.

C. The government’s right to control media companies.

The correct answer is B, even though many claiming to hold “originalist” and “conservative” views of the Constitution argue otherwise.

3. When the president of the United States urges supporters and elected officials to reject certified election results from across the nation, it’s called:

A. Typical of all presidents

B. Sedition

C. The will of the people.

The correct answer is B, as every president from George Washington to Barack Obama understood.

4. When dozens of courts and scores of judges across numerous states reject a candidate’s unsupported claims of voter fraud, it’s evidence of:

A. Voter fraud.

B. Frivolous litigation filed by unethical lawyers.

C. Judicial overreach.

The correct answer is B.

5. If you are lucky enough to be elected to public office, your priority should be:

A. To protect the interests of your political party and its leaders.

B. To protect your own chances of getting re-elected.

C. To uphold the Constitution and represent the interests of all your constituents.

The correct answer is C, although usually in theory only these days.

6. When you disagree with an elected official, you should:

A. Threaten to kill them.

B. Accuse them of pedophilia and treason.

C. Research the topic, argue on the merits of the issue, and work to elect a different person.

The correct answer is C.

7. To raise the quality of our civic discourse, we should:

A. Rationalize bad behavior among the politicians we support by claiming their opponents are even worse.

B. Call critics of our point of view losers, criminals and enemies of the people.

C. Reacquaint ourselves with the Golden Rule.

The correct answer is C, although Josef Stalin was a big fan of B.

8. The people who make the best elected officials usually:

A. Listen only to those with whom they are likely to agree.

B. Seek out a wide range of information and points of view.

C. Raise the most money.

The correct answer is B. We are all unaware of how much we don’t know – until we further explore an issue.

9. An example of a fair and democratic election is:

A. One that affords all eligible Americans ample and equal access in obtaining, filling out and submitting a ballot.

B. One that is timed and designed to give your political party an advantage.

C. One that aims to intimidate and discourage certain voters by making it inconvenient, time-consuming or dangerous to vote.

The correct answer is A.

10. The nation’s first president, George Washington, used his farewell address to:

A. Demand more time in office.

B. List all of his achievements and sacrifices.

C. Warn the nation about the dangers of partisan factions and political parties.

The correct answer is C. Washington said in part:

“There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.