Senate bill on U.S. Constitution, display of flag passes committee

Old Glory and a copy of the Constitution could be displayed in public school classrooms if a measure passes that is aimed at making sure students have a proper understanding of American history and government.

SB190 requires public school classrooms in grades 4 through 12 to display the U.S. flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution .

"Our sons and daughters their children and grandchildren have to know about the flag," said Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden. "It's an important thing — at first I thought it was trivial but the more I get into it the more I see how important it is."

Initially the bill, which passed out of the Senate Education Committee Thursday, was written to require a copy of the Declaration of Independence but that has since changed.

Currently state law requires elementary students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily, although parents can excuse children from the exercise. Secondary schools are encouraged to do so weekly. State law also requires schools to post the national motto, "In God We Trust." Several school districts received donations to buy framed depictions of the phrase and Christensen hopes communities will get involved in providing flags for classrooms that don't have them as well. They run about $17 each, according to Christensen.

However, he said copies of the Constitution would be donated by a Layton supplier.

The measure would also require State Board of Education and local school boards to periodically conduct reviews to ensure effective instruction in American history and government is taking place.