BILL NUMBER: S2425
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to courses of instruction
in patriotism and citizenship and in certain historic documents
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation promotes awareness and inquiry among school students of
the writings and documents of America's forefathers as well as current
writings and documents by encouraging teachers to post supplemental
historical material in their classrooms and school buildings.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 establishes the legislative intent.
Section 2 Adds a new subdivision 6 to S 801 of the education law to
require the regents to promulgate rules to allow school boards to allow
and encourage teachers and administrators to read or post in a public-
school building, classroom, or event excerpts or portions of various
primary source historical documents and writings. Such rules shall
provide that there shall be no content-based censorship of American
history with reference to these writings, documents, and records.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many of the state's school children lack knowledge and awareness of the
writings and documents of our forefathers and are not exposed to primary
source documents on various past and present civic affairs. A reliance
upon such documents will enable students to have a broader understanding
of the foundation of our form of government and institutions. In addi-
tion, it would provide a greater appreciation of why our government has
been the most successful and envied on earth.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.873 of 2023/2024; Referred to Education
S.3631 of 2021/2022; Referred to Education
S.242 of 2019/20 Referred to Education
S.1242 of 2017/2018; Referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
First of September next succeeding.

Statutes affected:
S2425: 801 education law