PRINTER'S NO. 2729
No. 2073 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, ALLEN, ARGALL, ARMSTRONG, BARRAR,
BASTIAN, BENNINGHOFF, CAPPELLI, COLEMAN, CRAHALLA, DENLINGER,
EGOLF, FAIRCHILD, FREEMAN, GABIG, GEIST, GEORGE, GORDNER,
HERMAN, HUTCHINSON, KELLER, LEDERER, PHILLIPS, READSHAW,
REICHLEY, ROHRER, SATHER, SOLOBAY, STERN, TIGUE AND
YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 7, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 7, 2003
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; and making an editorial change.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 1605 of the act of March 10, 1949
10 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
11 amended April 12, 1956 (1955 P L.1459, No.478) and September 20,
12 1961 (P.L.1530, No.650), is amended to read:
13 Section 1605. Courses of Study.--(a) In all public, private
14 or parochial schools, there shall be integrated in the social
15 studies curriculum courses of study as provided in this act. It
16 shall be the duty of the superintendent having supervision over
17 any high school to prepare, and recommend to the board of school
18 directors maintaining the same, suitable courses of study, which
1 shall be adopted by said board of school directors, with such
2 changes as they may deem wise, subject to the provisions of this
3 act. During grades kindergarten through twelve inclusive, the
4 curriculum shall include the teaching and study of the
5 Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the
6 Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence,
7 the Federalist Papers, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the
8 Emancipation Proclamation and George Washington's Farewell
9 Address; and these documents shall constitute required reading
10 beginning in grade five. During grades seven through twelve
11 inclusive, there shall be included at least four semesters or
12 equivalent study in the history and government of that portion
13 of America which has become the United States of America, and of
14 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, of such nature, kind or
15 quality, as to have for its purpose the developing, teaching and
16 presentation of the principles and ideals of the American
17 republican representative form of government, as portrayed and
18 experienced by the acts and policies of the framers of the
19 Declaration of Independence and framers of the Constitution of
20 the United States and the Bill of Rights. The study of the
21 history of the United States, including the study of the
22 Constitution of the United States and the study of the history
23 and Constitution of this Commonwealth, shall also be such as
24 will emphasize the good, worthwhile and best features and points
25 of the social, economic and cultural development, the growth of
26 the American family life, high standard of living of the United
27 States citizen, the privileges enjoyed by such citizens, their
28 heritage and its derivations of and in our principles of
29 government. Such instruction shall have for its purpose also the
30 instilling into every boy and girl who comes out of our public,
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1 private and parochial schools their solemn duty and obligation
2 to exercise intelligently their voting privilege and to
3 understand the advantages of the American republican form of
4 government as compared with various other forms of government.
5 Such instruction shall continue in courses in the State
6 Colleges to an extent to be determined by the [Superintendent of
7 Public Instruction] Secretary of Education.
8 (b) During one or more of the last four years of any
9 complete high school program, there may be included a course of
10 study in first aid or home nursing, or both, for the purpose of
11 training and increasing the available supply of trained
12 personnel for use in any program or activity undertaken pursuant
13 to the act of March nineteen, one thousand nine hundred fifty-
14 one (Pamphlet Laws 28), known as the "State Council of Civil
15 Defense Act of 1951," as amended. The [Superintendent of Public
16 Instruction] Secretary of Education shall direct a course of
17 study to be prepared to assist school districts in complying
18 with the provisions of this section.
19 Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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