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Constitution Day

Each year, educational institutions across the country honor the signing of the United States Constitution with special programming about the iconic document and its signing on Sept. 17, 1787, as well as the meaning of citizenship today.

The St. Mary’s University School of Law has developed a program to connect Texas educators with the resources they need to fulfill the federal mandate requiring education on the topic during the week of Sept. 17. The video below is a key component of the Constitution Day program and can be shown during classes and lectures.

Federal guidelines

Federal law requires, “Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.” See: Public Law 108-447, div. J, § 111(b), 18 Stat. 2809, 3344-45 (Dec. 8, 2004).

The U.S. Department of Education reads the law to require the program within a week of Constitution Day, particularly if Sept. 17 is not a working day. See: 70 Fed. Reg. 29727 (May 24, 2005). Any public or private school not in compliance may lose access to federal education funds.

The School of Law has prepared a statewide program to assist schools in complying with Constitution Day and Citizenship Day requirements. Our website will stream a video you may show in your classroom or assembly. The video is just under 11 minutes long.

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RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS