TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 A new bill filed this month seeks to amend the state\u2019s \u201cpatriotic programs\u201d statutes by requiring two presidents to be placed in children\u2019s classrooms.<\/p>\n
The legislation \u2014 Senate Bill 420<\/a> \u2014 was filed on Nov. 6 by state Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), though it made its way into an Education committee on Monday.<\/p>\n SB 420 specifically refers to the existing state law s. 1003.44<\/a>, which mandates that local school boards display the state motto, \u201cIn God We Trust,\u201d in \u201cconspicuous\u201d places in each school building.<\/p>\n Under this bill, though, the law would also require schools to similarly display portraits of two former U.S. presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n [BELOW: Teachers may soon have to take this oath if Florida passes new bill]<\/p>\n More specifically, these portraits would have to be put up in any classroom that is primarily used to teach social studies, as well as every K-5 classroom.<\/p>\n The state would be responsible for picking out the portraits and making them available to each school district, too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the only bill that would impact Florida classrooms, though. Another proposal (HB 147) was filed just last month that mandates that state teachers take an oath of loyalty<\/a>.<\/p>\n Under HB 147, classroom teachers would have to abide by a constitutional oath before being allowed to teach in the state. That oath reads as follows:<\/p>\n \u201cI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified for employment as a classroom teacher in this state; that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics; that I will foster a respectful learning environment for all students, which promotes critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God.\u201d<\/p>\n