What's happening
This bill allows and encourages New York public schools to use and display primary source American historical documents without content-based censorship.
Why it matters
Expands the range of historical materials. that New York public schools can use, allowing teachers to display and read from a wide array of primary sources—including foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and writings from various eras of American history—directly in classrooms and school events.
Specifically prohibits content-based censorship. of these documents, meaning that controversial, outdated, or challenging language/content in original sources cannot be altered or withheld, ensuring students encounter authentic historical texts.
Mandates the Board of Regents to create clear rules. supporting this approach, which could standardize how history is taught and discussed across the state, potentially impacting curriculum choices and teacher autonomy.
Aims to foster transparency and integrity in history education,. encouraging critical engagement with America’s founding principles and governmental actions, and possibly prompting broader discussions about whose histories and perspectives are centered in classrooms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Post Historic Documents in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
242
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to courses of instruction in patriotism and citizenship and in certain historic documents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and declares that exposure of students to primary source documents giving record of American history and heritage should be encouraged. It is important that the integrity of such historical documents be maintained to preclude intentional or unintentional censorship of the writings, documents and records documenting American history and heritage.
§ 2. Section 801 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. The regents shall promulgate rules which shall permit the boards of education and trustees of the several cities and school districts of the state to allow and encourage any teacher or administrator in a public school district of this state to read or post in a public school building, classroom, or event excerpts or portions of the preamble to the state constitution of New York; the declaration of independence; the constitution of the United States; the mayflower compact; the national motto; the national anthem; the pledge of allegiance; the writings, speeches, documents and proclamations of the founding fathers and presidents of the United States; organic documents from the pre-colonial, colonial, revolutionary, federalist, and post-federalist eras; United States supreme court decisions; acts of the United States congress including the published text of the congressional record; and any other primary source or historic document. Such rules shall provide that there be no content based censorship of American history or heritage in this state with reference to these writings, documents, and records.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02437-01-9
S. 242 2
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first day of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, except that any rules necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to courses of instruction in patriotism and citizenship and in certain historic documents
Purpose
This legislation seems to promote awareness and inquiry among school students of the writings and documents of America's forefathers as well as current writings and documents by encouraging teachers to post supplemental historical material in their classrooms and school build- ings.
Existing law
Adds a new subdivision 6 to § 801 of the education law to require the regents to promulgate rules to allow school boards to allow and encour- age teachers and administrators to read or post in a public school building, classroom, or event excerpts or portions of various primary source historical documents and writings. Such rules shall provide that there shall be no content-based censorship of American history with reference to these writings, documents and records.
Justification
Many of the state's school children lack knowledge and awareness of the writings and documents of our forefathers and are not exposed to primary source documents on various past and present civic affairs. A reliance upon such documents will enable students to have a broader understanding of the foundation of our form of government and institutions. In addi- tion, it would provide a greater appreciation of why our government has been the most successful and envied on earth.
Legislative history
S. 1242 of 2017/2018; Referred to Education Committee .
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
First of September next succeeding.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.