Celebrate Freedom Week
State and federal laws mandate a variety of celebrations and observances, including Celebrate Freedom Week:
(A) Each social studies class shall include, during Celebrate Freedom Week as provided under the TEC, §29.907, or during another full school week as determined by the board of trustees of a school district, appropriate instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts. The study of the Declaration of Independence must include the study of the relationship of the ideas expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of the U.S. Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women's suffrage movement.
(B) Each school district shall require that, during Celebrate Freedom Week or other week of instruction prescribed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, students in Grades 3-12 study and recite the following text:"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."
Resources
Here are some valuable resources that may assist you in planning for this week of instruction:
- The National Constitution Center
- Law Focused Education, Inc.
- NARA Charters of Freedom Exhibit
- NARA Constitution Day Activities
- Center for Civic Education
- NEH - EDSITEment
Information on the original legislation as well as references in the TEC and TAC are available along with additional resources and links on the TEA SSC website. Please visit www.tea.state.tx.us/ssc for additional information.
Consultant