New civics education law in Colorado

Posted by on August 15, 2003

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

PATRIOTISM PUSH: NEW LAWS REQUIRE KIDS TO SAY PLEDGE, PASS CIVICS COURSE

A bevy of patriotic laws to honor the country have taken effect in Colorado. Children in public schools and their teachers must start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Feel free to wear a U.S. flag pin or fly the flag at home. State lawmakers say it’s your right, according to John J. Sanko. And youngsters starting high school had better plan on taking — and passing — a course on civics in U.S. and Colorado government. They won’t get a diploma without it. Those are among the nearly 100 new laws that go into effect this week. If there’s anything that stands out in the bills about to go into effect, it’s their patriotic flavor, although not everyone is convinced they will do much to stir
patriotic feelings in students. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union thinks the mandatory pledge for all public school students is unconstitutional because it compels speech.

<a href="
http://insidedenver.com/drmn/legislature/article/0,1299,DRMN_37_2156923,00.html">http://insidedenver.com/drmn/legislature/article/0,1299,DRMN_37_2156923,00.html</a>