Maryland School Reverses Course on Mandatory Pledge of Allegiance

A Maryland elementary school has reversed its policy of requiring students and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance after a free speech group threatened legal action.

A Maryland elementary school has reversed its policy of mandating the Pledge of Allegiance after a free speech group pushed back against what it called "mandatory patriotism."

Twin Ridge Elementary School officials in Mount Airy clarified in April that the Pledge of Allegiance was mandatory for all students and staff. "All students and teachers are required 'to stand and face the flag and while standing give an approved salute and recite in unison the pledge of allegiance,'" the school's email stated, citing the state's code of education.

However, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) demanded that the school retract its stance, arguing that it violated the First Amendment's protection of free speech. The organization pointed out that students and teachers have the right to opt out of the pledge if they choose to do so.

"The First Amendment protects not only your right to express yourself, but also the right to refrain from doing so. That includes refusing to salute the flag. Mandatory patriotism is no patriotism at all," FIRE Senior Program Officer Stephanie Jablonsky said.

Maryland mother Kathleen Champion expressed her disapproval of the school's reversal, arguing that patriotism and respect for the American flag are important values.

"I do believe that everybody should stand for the pledge," Champion said. "We're American citizens, and we should be proud of that country that we're lucky enough to be in."

Champion believes that the decline in patriotism is due in part to a lack of understanding among students about the significance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I think that one of the big problems is that our students don't really know why they're not standing for the pledge," Champion said. "If the schools just encourage them to do it, I think that they would actually stand."

After receiving backlash from FIRE, Twin Ridge officials sent another email on May 31 acknowledging that students and teachers have the right to be excused from reciting the pledge.

"Any student or teacher who wishes to be excused from the requirements of subsection (c)(3) of this section shall be excused," the email stated, referring to the education code that requires students and teachers to "stand and face the flag" during the Pledge of Allegiance.

The reversal of the mandatory Pledge of Allegiance policy has sparked a broader debate about the role of patriotism and free speech in schools. Some argue that it is important to instill a sense of respect for the flag and the country, while others believe that it is equally important to protect the rights of individuals who choose not to participate in such displays.