MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama lawmakers might soon require public schools to start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The House of Representatives voted 101-0 Wednesday for the bill that would require all K-12 public schools to conduct the pledge each morning.
Republican Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville said some children don’t know the pledge because they do not regularly recite it.
While the bill requires schools to conduct the pledge each morning, it does not force students to participate.
The bill passed without a dissenting vote. It now moves to the Alabama Senate.
During the brief debate, Rep. Laura Hall, a Democrat from Huntsville, said she hopes lawmakers will be equally committed to the idea of making sure children get a quality education.
So what do you think? Should other states have similar laws?
For example, here in Texas, students must recite the pledge unless they have a parent or guardian’s permission to opt out.
Is this a good idea for young students to start their day with a recitation of one of our most hallowed citizenship acts?
Or, are there other pressing issues in education that demand more immediate discussion?
