Two proposed bills, SB5 and HB43, aim to introduce significant changes in Alabama’s public K-12 schools by embedding patriotic and religious practices into daily routines.
SB5 seeks to amend the Alabama Constitution to mandate that “The Star-Spangled Banner” be performed weekly in schools, with the first stanza played or performed using Library of Congress-approved materials. This amendment (like all state constitutional amendments) would only take effect if approved by voters in a statewide referendum.
The bill provides a brief history of the song and its significance before outlining three requirements.
- Each local board of education shall adopt a policy requiring each public K-12 school under its jurisdiction to broadcast The Star-Spangled Banner during school hours, at least once per week.
- A local board of education shall select for broadcast, pursuant to subsection (a), any recording of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner that is archived within the Library of Congress and available on the Library of Congress website.
- Alternatively, a performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner from original sheet music, archived within the Library of Congress and available on its website, by a school-sanctioned:
- Band program
- Choral program
- Vocal group or vocalist
HB43, also proposing a constitutional amendment, requires the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, allowing voluntary participation. It mandates school boards to vote on policies permitting voluntary daily prayer and religious readings within 90 of the bill’s passing, with strict consent requirements…