Schools ordered to observe ‘Constitution Day’

MSNBC ^ | May 24, 2005 | Associated Press

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

WASHINGTON - The Constitution long has ensured that Congress can’t tell schools what to teach. But that’s no longer the case for at least one topic — the Constitution itself. advertisement The Education Department outlined Tuesday how it plans to enforce a little-known provision that Congress passed in 2004: Every school and college that receives federal money must teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787. Schools can determine what kind of educational program they want, but they must hold one every year on the now-named “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” And if Sept. 17 falls on a weekend or holiday, schools must schedule a program immediately before or after that date. Historically, the federal government has avoided dictating what or when anything must be taught because those powers rest with the states under the 10th Amendment. The Education Department’s Web site even underlines that point, saying matters such as the development of curricula and the setting of course requirements fall outside federal authority.

[Constitution Day]

Hope you've toned up, trimmed down, and moisturized.
The scrutiny could be intense.

Observation is one thing. I can handle that.
But other news stories say:

Schools told to hold Constitution Day

I won't stand for that.

I don't want them to hold me!
They haven't bought me dinner, or candy, or anything!

Unnngh.

[stainlessbanner]

To Hold and Observe....

[dirtboy]

The Education Department outlined Tuesday how it plans to enforce a little-known provision that Congress passed in 2004: Every school and college that receives federal money must teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17

There is much irony in having Congress and the Education Department mandate to the states the teaching of the Constitution. Apparently neither of them has read the 10th Amendment and therefore are in more need of remedial Constitutional education than the schoolkids.

[Constitution Day]

KKK Byrd is responsible for this?

Figures.

[Oberon]

You know, it's kinda funny...the Russians under the Soviet system had a constitution as well, with many of the same guarantees that ours has.

Funny how that works.

[aculeus]

Congratulations.

[general_re]

All hands on CD!

[Rebelbase]

"I don't want them to hold me!"

Whatever you say.

[Constitution Day]

Well, since you put it that way...;^)

See, I was imagining that hateful old b!tch that taught me English in the 8th grade.

[Rebelbase]

Hey, don't worry about it. I'll sub for you!

[usapatriot28]

Isn't it unconstitutional for the Federal govt. to dictate to the States on education? Yeah, I thought so....

It's unconstitutional for the Federal government to fund education too, but it spends billions of dollars doing so. This is no different than what they already do with transportation (ie, if you don't make the drinking age 21, you won't get highway funding).

[Gondring]

This is no different than what they already do with transportation (ie, if you don't make the drinking age 21, you won't get highway funding).

This is one example of one of the most insidious tyrannies around. What difference is there between them taking your money and giving it back only if you do what they say--and just fining you if you don't do what they say?

Even Republicans like to talk of "tax credits"...which is another word for "fine"...as in, if you DON'T do what they say, you have to pay more in taxes.

[Gondring]

But Congress stepped in when it came to the nation’s foundational document, thanks to Sen. Robert Byrd, the West Virginia Democrat who keeps a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. Byrd inserted the Constitution lesson mandate into a massive spending bill in 2004, frustrated by what he called a huge ignorance on the part of many Americans about history.

It so happened that the Education Department’s new guidelines emerged just as Byrd and the Senate, engaged in a fight over judicial filibusters, debated the Constitution’s checks and balances.

Neither the department nor Congress has required a specific curriculum or a particular interpretation of the Constitution, Byrd said in an interview Monday.

“I hope that schools will develop many different, creative ways to enable students to learn about one of our country’s most important historic documents,” he said. “The Constitution protects their freedoms and will impact all facets of their lives.”

[TChris]

Wow, now the liberal education cabal is suddenly concerned about the preservation of states rights! Whodda thunk?

[tacticalogic]

It's unconstitutional for the Federal government to fund education too, but it spends billions of dollars doing so. This is no different than what they already do with transportation (ie, if you don't make the drinking age 21, you won't get highway funding).

All in the name of "regulating commerce among the several states", and "providing for the general welfare".

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

I've noticed that about liberals. *HAVING IT BOTH WAYS* seems to be the ultimate goal.

This story is another classic illustration of that. It's unrealistic.... you don't always get to have your cake and eat it too.