A new bill has been introduced in Ohio called the Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act (T.I.P.A.), which would require school districts to publicly disclose their policies regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives on Aug. 19, 2024 and is sponsored by Rep. Gail Pavliga and Rep. Tracy Richardson. The bill, if passed, would require Ohio schools to have a policy in place regarding the recitation of the pledge, but would not mandate a specific policy. This transparency is aimed at informing parents and constituents about whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in their local schools.
Rep. Pavliga, who is passionate about patriotism, believes that the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited in schools, but wants to ensure that the policies are publicly accessible for the community to see. Rep. Richardson, who has a military background and values the unity symbolized by the pledge, also supports the bill’s goal of informing parents. Forty-six states already have some requirement for the recitation of the pledge in schools, with exemptions or reminders in place in 34 states to ensure that students cannot be forced to say it. The Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act in Ohio aims to provide transparency to parents and community members about the policies in their local schools.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that public school students cannot be forced to salute and pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag. The Pledge of Allegiance dates back to September 1892 and was written by ordained minister Francis Bellamy to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival. Rep. Pavliga is hopeful that the bill will be passed before the end of the 135th state assembly session in December. The goal of the bill is transparency and ensuring that parents have access to information about whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in their local schools.
According to Rep. Pavilga, parents have the right to know whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in their child’s school, as they are paying taxes to support the school district. The bill is not meant to mandate a specific policy, but rather to inform parents and community members about the existing policies in place regarding the pledge. Rep. Richardson also believes in the importance of transparency and openness from elected officials and governmental agencies, including schools. The bill is aimed at meeting the expectations of Ohioans for transparency and ensuring that parents have access to information about the pledge policies in their local school districts.
Overall, the Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act in Ohio is intended to provide transparency and information to parents and community members about the policies in place regarding the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in their local schools. The bill, if passed, would require school districts to publicly disclose their policies on the pledge, ensuring that parents have access to this information. The goal of the bill is to inform, rather than mandate, and to uphold the values of patriotism and unity symbolized by the Pledge of Allegiance.
