A new bill working its way through the Iowa legislature would require students and teachers to sing the national anthem at school each day.
House Study Bill 587 refers to “modifying the social studies curriculum provided in grades one through twelve in school districts, charger schools and innovation zone schools and modifying the responsibilities of school districts, charter schools and innovation zone schools related to requiring teachers and students to sing the national anthem.”
Students and teachers won’t just sing, according to the bill “The social studies curriculum shall include instruction related to the words and music of the national anthem, the meaning and history of the national anthem, the object and principles of the government of the United States, the sacrifices made by the founders of the United States, the important contributions made by all who have served in the armed forces of the United States since the founding and how to love, honor and respect the national anthem.”
The bill goes on to say the above paragraph “shall not apply to a nonpublic school.”
The bill was introduced on January 18 and a subcommittee recommended passage by a 2-1 vote on January 24. It now goes to the Iowa House for consideration. If passed by the House and Senate, the new regulation would go into effect on July 1 for the 2023-24 school year.
