Last modified: January 5, 2024

Policy No. 4335 American Heritage in the Curriculum

• Download Policy No. 4335 American Heritage in the Curriculum

Classes, including American History, in which the subject matter is relevant, shall include thorough study of the:

• Declaration of Independence;
• United States Constitution;
• National Motto;
• Pledge of Allegiance;
• National Anthem;
• Mayflower Compact;
• Writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and the Presidents of the United States;
• organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist and post Federalist eras;
• United States Supreme Court decisions;
• and, Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the Congressional Record;
• and, United States treaties.

Instruction in American history and government shall include study of forms of government (such as a republic, a pure democracy, a monarchy, and an oligarchy), political philosophies (such as socialism, individualism, and free market capitalism), and the United States’ form of government (a compound constitutional republic).

Posting American Heritage Documents

Schools may post copies of American historical documents or historically important excerpts from these documents in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate. If a school decides to post an excerpt from a particular document, the portions omitted should not be deleted for the purpose of censoring religious or cultural content.

Display of the National Motto

The national motto of the United States, which is declared by federal statute to be “In God We Trust,” shall be displayed in one or more prominent places within each school building in the District.

Pledge of Allegiance

The pledge of allegiance to the flag shall be recited once at the beginning of each day in each public school classroom in the state and, led by a student in the classroom, as assigned by the classroom teacher on a rotating basis.

Each student shall be informed by posting a notice in a conspicuous place that the student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge.

A student shall be excused from reciting the pledge upon written request from the student’s parent or legal guardian.

At least once a year students shall be instructed that participation in the pledge of allegiance is voluntary and not compulsory, but students should show respect for any student who chooses not to participate. Likewise, students who choose not to participate in the pledge should show respect to those who choose to participate.

A public school teacher shall strive to maintain an atmosphere among students in the classroom that is consistent with the principles described above.

Legal References

Utah Code 53G-10-402

Curriculum: Parental Consent; Political and Religious Doctrine Prohibited (6)

Utah Code 53G-10-202

Maintaining Constitutional Freedom in Schools

Utah Code 53G-10-205

Waivers of Participation

Utah Code 53G-10-302

Study and Posting of American Heritage Documents

Utah Code 53G-10-304

Instruction on the flag of the United States of America

36 U.S.C. § 302

National Motto

Approved by Board of Education

October 14, 2014