This bill would amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to establish Celebrate Freedom Week. Beginning 2014-2015 the week would have to include Constitution Day, September 17 and would have to include at least three hours of appropriate instruction in social studies class regarding the “intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.” The instruction would also have to address background information on the colonial era and the Founding Fathers, especially George Washington and the next five Presidents and their wartime and political associates.

            During the week, students would be required to read at least one book focusing on the Founding Era and required to recite specified excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution and the First Amendment. Exceptions to the recitation would include students with conscientious objection, is a child of a foreign government with diplomatic immunity.

            Teachers would be allowed to post copies of historical images and documents to include a long list of historical, patriotic topics.

            The DOE would be required to develop an online instructional resource page for teachers with a long list of required contents and a requirement to provide the House and Senate education committees a proposed design of the web pages with lists of resources and cost of implementation.