PRINTER'S NO. 2722
No. 2102 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, FARGO, ROHRER, BASTIAN, ARGALL,
ARMSTRONG, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF, CLYMER, EGOLF,
FORCIER, FREEMAN, GEIST, HORSEY, HUTCHINSON, LEH, McNAUGHTON,
ORIE, READSHAW, SAYLOR, STERN, WILT AND WOGAN,
DECEMBER 1, 1999
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, DECEMBER 1, 1999
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 courses of
6 study.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 1605(a) of act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
10 No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, amended
11 September 20, 1961 (P.L.1530, No.650), is amended to read:
12 Section 1605. Courses of Study.--(a) In all public, private
13 or parochial schools, there shall be integrated in the social
14 studies curriculum courses of study as provided in this act. It
15 shall be the duty of the superintendent having supervision over
16 any high school to prepare, and recommend to the board of school
17 directors maintaining the same, suitable courses of study, which
18 shall be adopted by said board of school directors, with such
1 changes as they may deem wise, subject to the provisions of this
2 act. During grades kindergarten through twelve inclusive, the
3 curriculum shall include the teaching and study of the
4 Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the
5 Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence,
6 the Federalist Papers, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the
7 Emancipation Proclamation and George Washington's Farewell
8 Address; and these documents shall constitute required reading
9 beginning in grade five. During grades seven through twelve
10 inclusive, there shall be included at least four semesters or
11 equivalent study in the history and government of that portion
12 of America which has become the United States of America, and of
13 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, of such nature, kind or
14 quality, as to have for its purpose the developing, teaching and
15 presentation of the principles and ideals of the American
16 republican representative form of government, as portrayed and
17 experienced by the acts and policies of the framers of the
18 Declaration of Independence and framers of the Constitution of
19 the United States and the Bill of Rights. The study of the
20 history of the United States, including the study of the
21 Constitution of the United States and the study of the history
22 and Constitution of this Commonwealth, shall also be such as
23 will emphasize the good, worthwhile and best features and points
24 of the social, economic and cultural development, the growth of
25 the American family life, high standard of living of the United
26 States citizen, the privileges enjoyed by such citizens, their
27 heritage and its derivations of and in our principles of
28 government. Such instruction shall have for its purpose also the
29 instilling into every boy and girl who comes out of our public,
30 private and parochial schools their solemn duty and obligation
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1 to exercise intelligently their voting privilege and to
2 understand the advantages of the American republican form of
3 government as compared with various other forms of government.
4 Such instruction shall continue in courses in the State
5 Colleges to an extent to be determined by the Superintendent of
6 Public Instruction.
7 Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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