PRINTER'S NO. 1695
No. 1353 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY ROCK, ARGALL, BARRAR, BEAR, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF,
CALTAGIRONE, CIVERA, CLYMER, COX, CREIGHTON, CUTLER,
DENLINGER, FLECK, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, HESS,
HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, KILLION, KORTZ, METCALFE, PICKETT,
RAPP, ROAE, ROHRER, STERN, TRUE, VEREB AND YOUNGBLOOD,
MAY 24, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 24, 2007
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(a) of the act of March 10, 1949
10 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
11 amended September 20, 1961 (P.L.1530, No.650), is amended to
12 read:
13 Section 1605. Courses of Study.--(a) (1) In all public,
14 private or parochial schools, there shall be integrated in the
15 social studies curriculum courses of study as provided in this
16 act. It shall be the duty of the superintendent having
17 supervision over any high school to prepare, and recommend to
18 the board of school directors maintaining the same, suitable
1 courses of study, which shall be adopted by said board of school
2 directors, with such changes as they may deem wise, subject to
3 the provisions of this act.
4 (2) During grades kindergarten through twelve inclusive, the
5 curriculum shall include the teaching and study of the
6 Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the
7 Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence,
8 the Federalist Papers, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the
9 Emancipation Proclamation and George Washington's Farewell
10 Address; and these documents shall constitute required reading
11 beginning in grade five.
12 (3) During grades seven through twelve inclusive, there
13 shall be included at least four semesters or equivalent study in
14 the history and government of that portion of America which has
15 become the United States of America, and of the Commonwealth of
16 Pennsylvania, of such nature, kind or quality, as to have for
17 its purpose the developing, teaching and presentation of the
18 principles and ideals of the American republican representative
19 form of government, as portrayed and experienced by the acts and
20 policies of the framers of the Declaration of Independence and
21 framers of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of
22 Rights.
23 (4) The study of the history of the United States, including
24 the study of the Constitution of the United States and the study
25 of the history and Constitution of this Commonwealth, shall also
26 be such as will emphasize the good, worthwhile and best features
27 and points of the social, economic and cultural development, the
28 growth of the American family life, high standard of living of
29 the United States citizen, the privileges enjoyed by such
30 citizens, their heritage and its derivations of and in our
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1 principles of government.
2 (5) Such instruction shall have for its purpose also the
3 instilling into every boy and girl who comes out of our public,
4 private and parochial schools their solemn duty and obligation
5 to exercise intelligently their voting privilege and to
6 understand the advantages of the American republican form of
7 government as compared with various other forms of government.
8 (6) Such instruction shall continue in courses in the State
9 Colleges to an extent to be determined by the [Superintendent of
10 Public Instruction] Secretary of Education.
11 * * *
12 Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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