Celebrating freedom

The House passed a bill today that would implement a Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools surrounding Veteran’s Day.

The legislation, House Bill 1874, would leave the way the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other historical documents and events are studied up to each school district. But some lawmakers fear this is another mandate on schools and will cut into required class time.

Rep. Ed Cannaday, D-Whitefield, said students can celebrate freedom and America’s historical heritage without desginating a specific week for the lessons, allowing the studies to fall in historical order within a class.

But, students often get through school without learning much about some key points in the country’s history, said author of the bill Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan. This legislation would dedicate school time each year to making sure students know about the sacrifices made in the past to make our country what it is today, he said.

The bill passed with a vote of 80-18 and will now head to the Senate.

Do you think a special week dedicated to teaching about the American Revolution, the woman’s suffrage movement and other historical turning points should be required in Oklahoma’s schools?

Jennifer Mock
Capitol Bureau