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Committee hears bill to require "Celebrate Freedom Week" instruction and daily recitation; Board of Public Ed and educators oppose mandate
Summary
Representative Oblander proposed HB 591 to require at least three hours of instruction about the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Montana Constitution during a designated "Celebrate Freedom Week" and to allow districts to require a daily recitation (with parental opt-out). Proponents framed the bill as civic education; the Board
Representative Greg Oblander introduced House Bill 591 to create a "Celebrate Freedom Week" in public schools requiring at least three hours of instruction each year about the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Montana Constitution, and permitting (but not mandating) a daily recitation from the Declaration of Independence unless a parent opts the child out.
"The intent of this bill is to educate students about the sacrifices that were made in, for freedom in the founding of The United States and the values on which The U.S. was founded," Oblander told the committee. The bill sets the last full week of classes in September as the recommended week, requires grades 3–12 to receive the content with grade-level-appropriate emphasis, and provides explicit parental opt-outs for recitation.
Supporters included…
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