Should Students Recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

By Sarah Worthman and  Jon Gargis

Students are back in session across the metro Atlanta area, with many of them likely to start their school days by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance—a tradition that goes back generations.

U.S. Code spells out the text of the Pledge and its manner of delivery as:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

Georgia Code 20-2-310 says public school students must be given the chance to recite the Pledge during each school day:

It shall be the duty of each local board of education to establish a policy setting the time and manner for recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Such policy shall be established in writing and shall be distributed to each teacher within the school.

The issue of requiring the recitation of the Pledge has surfaced nationally in recent times. Earlier this year, a state lawmaker in Arizona introduced a bill to require students to recite the pledge. Other states, including Oregon and Nebraska, have had discussions on whether to require the pledge to be recited in schools.

Should all students be required to recite the pledge? Should schools be required to offer it? Tell us what you think in the comments.