b CENTER FOR EDUCATION IN LAW AND DEMOCRACY

The Pledge of Allegiance: A Teachable Moment
Lesson Ideas
Colorado Law requiring daily recitation of the Pledge passed in May 2003. However, following a temporary Federal Court injunction, this law will be re-considered by legislators during the 2004 legislative session.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many public schools have participated in a resurgence of patriotism by requiring students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A Colorado law passed in May 2003 requires public school students and teachers to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily as part of their education program. Following a federal court injunction blocking the implementation of this law in four Colorado school districts, on August 22, 2003 the State of Colorado asked the federal court for time to reconsider the law during the 2004 legislative session.

While citizens and policymakers may disagree about the appropriateness of the law, many Colorado citizens agree that learning about the history and origin of the Pledge, as well as its meaning, should be an important component of civic education.

These resources and lesson ideas are provided by CELD to assist Colorado teachers as they develop lessons on the Pledge of Allegiance for their students.