# Plain Language Summary: Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act

## What This Bill Does

This bill would require all public elementary and secondary schools that receive federal funding to implement three main policies: (1) have students, teachers, and staff recite the Pledge of Allegiance every school day, (2) display the American flag prominently in every classroom and gymnasium, and (3) teach students about the history and significance of the flag as part of civics or history classes. Schools would need to certify annually that they're following these requirements, and the federal government would have authority to enforce compliance.

## Who Is Affected

This bill would directly affect all public schools that receive any federal education funding—which includes the vast majority of American public schools. Students, teachers, and school administrators would be the primary groups impacted by the daily pledge requirement and flag displays. However, the bill includes an important exception: individuals can opt out of reciting the Pledge for religious or personal reasons without facing penalties or discrimination.

## Key Provisions

- **Pledge requirement**: Daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in its official form, with a religious/personal conscience exemption
- **Flag display**: American flags must be visible in all classrooms and gymnasiums during the school day
- **Educational component**: Age-appropriate curriculum materials about the flag must be incorporated into civics or history classes
- **Enforcement**: Schools must submit written compliance certifications annually; the federal government can take action against non-compliant schools
- **Implementation timeline**: Schools would have 180 days after the bill's enactment to implement these policies

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act

Strong, Dale W.

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools ActThis bill requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish, maintain, and enforce policies that require federally funded public elementary and secondary schools to display the U.S. flag, educate students about the U.S. flag, and&nbsp;direct students and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis.Specifically, LEAs, as a condition of receiving federal elementary and secondary education funds, must require the following activities at each school:<ul><li>for all students, teachers, and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day (with an exception for religious or personal reasons);</li><li>for the U.S. flag to be prominently displayed in each classroom and gymnasium; and</li><li>for educational materials on the history, significance, and proper display of the U.S. flag to be incorporated into the civics or history curriculum of each grade level.</li></ul>The bill includes annual certification requirements. Further, the bill authorizes and directs the Department of Education to issue and secure compliance with rules or orders with respect to an LEA that fails to certify (or certifies in bad faith) compliance with the bill's requirements.