The Pledge of Allegiance is something that has been very divisive in schools recently after a law was passed that required students and teachers to recite it every morning. 

The law, called HF 47, states that “The board of directors of each public school district shall administer the pledge of allegiance in grades one through twelve each school day.” This officially required that each school has to recite the pledge of allegiance and it also stated that teachers need to hang the American flag in their rooms later in the bill.

Many students around the state have different opinions on this topic and whether or not they think this should be a requirement. “I think it should be optional for people whether they want to do it or not,” says student Zoe Marquez about the issue.

It is not required for students to recite the Pledge if they choose not to as stated in HF 47, “A student shall not be compelled against the student’s objections or those of the student’s parent or guardian to recite the pledge.” Despite this however, some students may feel compelled or forced to do it so they won’t be judged by teachers or their other peers. 

“I would feel judged if I didn’t stand up because some of the students,” says Marquez. So, while the bill isn’t mandatory, many people just do it because everyone else is. This brings up the question if there is even a benefit to doing the Pledge every day. What is it improving or accomplishing if most people don’t really care about it and are just doing it because it’s something they have been told was happening. 

On the other hand however, there may be some benefits to this bill. “During a time of such political divide in our nation, I believe the pledge is something that can bring all Americans together, regardless of political affiliation,” stated Carter Nordman, a State Rep. on what he believes are the benefits of this bill. 

The bill has positives and negatives but the question still remains of if it really has any impact on students or if there is a real point in requiring this at all.