|
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Levinson Critical of Bill that No Longer Makes Teaching of Veterans and Memorial Day Mandatory in Public Schools
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson announced today that he was disappointed to learn that the state senate and assembly recently approved legislation that no longer requires teaching about Veterans Day and Memorial Day in New Jersey's public schools. Any instruction regarding these holidays would now be left to the discretion of individual local school boards.
As a former educator, Levinson stated that he can appreciate the intent of the law which was to eliminate mandates on local school districts. "However, not assuring that all students understand and appreciate the significance of Memorial Day or the sacrifices that brought about Veterans Day would be a failure of public education. This decision definitely needs to be reconsidered," he said. "At a time when we have troops far from home risking their lives on a daily basis, it is vital that they feel assured their service and sacrifice will long be remembered and appreciated."
Bill A-17 passed the Assembly on December 11 by a vote of 80 to 0. It was received in the Senate and passed 39 to 0 on December 14. The provisions of the bill also repealed the mandatory requirements for other holidays, some readily understood and some questionable. "Ironically," Levinson noted, "schools are usually closed on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but students may not have any understanding as to why it's a day off."
Bill A-17 repealed an earlier law that mandated a program of instruction for these holidays in order to facilitate a greater sense of patriotism and cultural appreciation among youth. "The reason they established this mandate still remains valid today and is a more than adequate reason to retain this requirement," Levinson stated.
Levinson is urging Governor Corzine to conditionally veto the legislation if these holidays are not excluded. "There are some aspects of our holidays and traditions that strengthen us as Americans and as a nation. This is especially so for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I believe that our students must be regularly instructed about their significance," stated Levinson. "Service and sacrifice to our country should be required learning and not left to the whims of the more than 600 schools boards throughout our state."
|
