Nebraska State Sen. Tony Fulton says he will introduce a bill in January that would require that the Pledge of Allegiance be said in each public school classroom. The bill would also require that each classroom display an American flag. The hope is that reciting the pledge will teach students patriotism.
Now, schools are required only to have an American flag prominently displayed. Many Nebraska classrooms say the pledge each school day even though it's not required by state law.
The Nebraska bill would be modeled after a Massachusetts law that does not compel
students to participate in the pledge.
The Supreme Court has ruled that requiring the pledge in schools is unconstitutional
unless it provides for parents or students to opt out.
I have two concerns with this bill. First, what are the consequences if a classroom does not say the Pledge of Allegiance? Does the teacher get charged with a crime? Second, the bill would require ALL public classrooms, including college and University classrooms (Good luck enforcing that).
I have not observed that Nebraska students are lacking in patriotism. But I am willing to accept this bill, should it pass, as long as the Pledge can be said once together as a school at the beginning of the day, and that the requirement ends after high school. And add an amendment that the State Legislature says the Pledge before each hearing and legislative session.
