State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Utah > Title-53a > Chapter-13 > 53a-13-101-4

53A-13-101.4. Study and posting of American heritage documents.
(1) The Legislature recognizes that a proper understanding of American history andgovernment is essential to good citizenship, and that the public schools are the primary publicinstitutions charged with responsibility for assisting children and youth in gaining thatunderstanding.
(2) (a) The State Board of Education and local school boards shall periodically reviewschool curricula and activities to ensure that effective instruction in American history andgovernment is taking place in the public schools.
(b) The boards shall solicit public input as part of the review process.
(3) School curricula and activities shall include the appropriate study of historicaldocuments such as:
(a) the Declaration of Independence;
(b) the United States Constitution;
(c) the national motto;
(d) the pledge of allegiance;
(e) the national anthem;
(f) the Mayflower Compact;
(g) the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the Founders and thePresidents of the United States;
(h) organic documents from the pre-Colonial, Colonial, Revolutionary, Federalist, andpost Federalist eras;
(i) United States Supreme Court decisions;
(j) Acts of the United States Congress, including the published text of the CongressionalRecord; and
(k) United States treaties.
(4) To increase student understanding of, and familiarity with, American historicaldocuments, public schools may display historically important excerpts from, or copies of, thosedocuments in school classrooms and common areas as appropriate.
(5) There shall be no content-based censorship of American history and heritagedocuments referred to in this section due to their religious or cultural nature.
(6) Public schools shall display "In God we trust," which is declared in 36 U.S.C. 302 tobe the national motto of the United States, in one or more prominent places within each schoolbuilding.

Amended by Chapter 124, 2002 General Session