Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Schools to Observe "Constitution Day" in September

A federal law enacted last year requires all public schools to formally observe September 17 as "Constitution Day," the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

Schools are required to conduct educational activities relating to the Constitution on September 17. This year, however, the event falls on Saturday, so most schools will plan special activities during the preceding week.

State education officials, along with The Missouri Bar and other groups, are working together to encourage teachers and local school officials to develop creative ways of teaching students about the U.S. Constitution and its significance as the cornerstone of American government.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent all school districts a brochure that includes suggestions for Constitution Day activities. The brochure was published by The Missouri Bar and developed in cooperation with the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Council for the Social Studies.

"The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the most important foundation documents of our nation. We have long celebrated the importance of the Declaration of Independence with a national holiday on July 4. It is fitting that we devote time during the school year for students of all ages to learn more about the Constitution and its role in our history," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.

Public schools are free to conduct any type of age-appropriate educational activities for students, ranging from all-school assemblies to special classroom projects. Some of the activities recommended for schools include:

• Take part in the nationwide, unison recitation of the preamble to the Constitution at 1:00 p.m. (central time), Friday, September 16. All students may be asked to read the preamble together, or schools may choose to invite a special guest to lead the reading. Older students could lead younger students in reading and discussing the preamble and the Constitution.

• Use ideas from the state’s new "grade-level expectations" guides to plan instructional activities focusing on U.S. government and history.

• The Missouri Press Association is providing a Constitution Day feature to its member newspapers throughout the state. Educators are encouraged to ask their local newspapers to publish the feature, which includes suggested activities for teachers. (See www.mopress.com; click on "Newspaper in Education.")

• High schools could launch or host a voter registration drive.

• Schools may invite civic leaders, elected officials, judges, civil rights leaders, clergy or news media representatives to talk with students in class or take part in roundtable discussions about freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

• Acknowledge Constitution Day at other school-sponsored activities and at events in the community.

Other resources to help teachers and community leaders observe Constitution Day are available from: Constitution Day, Inc., the National Constitution Center and the Bill of Rights Institute.