PRINTER'S NO. 1036
No. 950 Session of 1979
INTRODUCED BY PITTS, E. R. LYNCH, VROON, E. Z. TAYLOR AND
E. H. SMITH, MARCH 28, 1979
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 28, 1979
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," further providing for programs for
6 development of citizenship and patriotism.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 771, act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
10 No.14), known as the "Public School Code of 1949," amended
11 January 8, 1952 (1951 P.L.1856, No.497), is amended to read:
12 Section 771. Display of United States Flag; Development of
13 Patriotism.--The board of school directors in each district
14 shall, when they are not otherwise provided, purchase a United
15 States flag, flagstaff, and the necessary appliances therefor,
16 and shall display said flag upon or near each public school
17 building in clement weather, during school hours, and at such
18 other times as the board may determine.
19 All boards of school directors, all proprietors or principals
20 of private schools, and all authorities in control of parochial
1 schools or other educational institutions, shall display the
2 United States national flag, not less than three feet in length,
3 within all school buildings under their control during each day
4 such schools are in session. In all public schools, the board of
5 school directors shall make all rules and necessary regulations
6 for the care and keeping of such flags. The expense thereof
7 shall be paid by the school district.
8 [All supervising officers and teachers in charge of public,
9 private or parochial schools shall establish and direct the
10 conduct of appropriate daily instruction or ceremonies, or, in
11 lieu thereof, at least one full period per week, for the purpose
12 of affirming and developing allegiance to and respect for the
13 Flag of the United States of America, and for the promoting of a
14 clear understanding of our American way of life, with all of the
15 unparalleled individual opportunities, and our republican form
16 of government, with its responsiveness to majority decisions and
17 demands. Such elements shall be included in this program as
18 instruction in the fundamental principles of our form of
19 government, an understanding of the provisions of the
20 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the
21 Constitution of the United States of America, the values to be
22 found in the freedom of speech, of religion and of the press,
23 the values to be found in obedience to the laws of the land and
24 the Commonwealth, the importance of exercising the right of
25 franchise, the obligation of every citizen to stand ready to
26 defend our country at all times from infiltration or aggression
27 by those whose acts and ideologies are contrary to our American
28 philosophy of life.]
29 Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
30 Section 771.1. Program for Development of Citizenship and
19790H0950B1036 - 2 -
1 Patriotism.--(a) All administrators and teachers in charge of
2 public and nonpublic schools shall conduct appropriate daily
3 instruction which shall include, but not be limited to, the
4 Pledge of Allegiance. Daily instruction shall be for fifteen
5 (15) minutes duration; or in lieu thereof, at least one full
6 period per week separate and distinct from any other classroom
7 period. Such instruction shall be for the purpose of affirming
8 and developing an allegiance to and respect for the United
9 States of America and its Flag, and for promoting a clear
10 understanding of our American way of life, with all unparalleled
11 individual opportunities, and our republican form of government,
12 with its responsiveness to majority decisions and demands, and
13 the collective and individual responsibilities of citizenship of
14 the United States of America.
15 (b) The program shall include:
16 (1) Instruction in the fundamental principals of our form of
17 government.
18 (2) An understanding of the provisions of the Constitution
19 of Pennsylvania and the Constitution of the United States of
20 America.
21 (3) The values to be found in the freedom of speech, of
22 religion and of the press.
23 (4) The values to be found in obedience to the laws of the
24 land and this Commonwealth.
25 (5) The importance of exercising the right of franchise.
26 (6) The obligation of every citizen to stand ready to defend
27 his country at all times from infiltration or aggression by
28 those whose acts are contrary to the American philosophy of
29 life.
30 (c) The teacher providing the instruction shall voluntarily
19790H0950B1036 - 3 -
1 sign the Pennsylvania Loyalty Oath and a statement attesting to
2 his willingness to provide instruction within the spirit of the
3 program as outlined in subsection (b).
4 (d) Each school entity shall notify the department the
5 manner in which the instructional requirements of this section
6 are being met and that the Loyalty Oath and the statement of the
7 teacher's willingness to instruct within the spirit of the
8 program have been signed and are on record at the school for
9 public inspection.
10 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
C2L27RZ/19790H0950B1036 - 4 -