- Kentucky schools would be legally required to offer one to two minutes of “silence” each day under a bill passed by the state House Education Committee on Tuesday.
- Critics have expressed concerns that the law could open the way for prayer in schools, but specifically prohibits instruction on how students should use their allotted time. .
- “It just gives kids time to focus on what's important to them,” Republican state Rep. Daniel Pfister said of the bill. “It doesn't matter if the dog ate my homework speech or whatever he wanted to work on. But this gives him that time to calm down and get ready for the day.”
Kentucky schools would have a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day under a bill approved by a state House committee Tuesday.
Public schools across the Bluegrass State observed a minute or two of silence each day at the beginning of the first class. Students will decide how to use that time, and school officials will be prohibited from instructing students in silent reflection. Parents will be informed of the policy and encouraged to guide their children on how to spend that time.
The bill (House Bill 96) passed the Republican-led House Education Committee and advanced to the House floor. The proposal drew criticism for appearing to set aside special time for prayer.
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“Give your child time to focus on what's important to them, like the dog ate their homework speech or something they want to work on,” said Republican Rep. Daniel Pfister, the bill's lead sponsor. but it is hereby granted.” It's time for them to settle down and prepare for the day. ”
Under the bill, students would be seated and silent during that time.
Having a short period of time for quiet reflection allows students to “decompress before class begins,” Republican Rep. Killian Timane said in sponsoring the bill.
Pictured is the Kentucky State Capitol on April 7, 2021 in Frankfort, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
“In 2024, we are putting unrealistic pressures on our children from technology and social media, but they need intentional time to catch their breath,” he said.
Democratic Rep. Tina Bojanowski said she believes the bill requires prayer during class hours. She was one of three committee members who opposed the bill.
“They (students) have the right to pray at any time during the day,” Bojanowski said. “But I think what this bill creates, which is specifically intended to be a time for prayer, is a little bit edgy, because we have what's called an 'establishment clause.' is.”
Public schools have been banned from leading students in prayer in their classrooms, following a decades-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling that violated the First Amendment's ban on establishing a government religion.
The committee introduced another bill Tuesday that would strengthen disclosure requirements aimed at disclosing past misconduct allegations when teachers seek jobs in other school districts.
The bill received bipartisan support and advanced to the full chamber. The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. James Tipton, chairman of the House Education Committee.
The bill aims to ensure that Kentucky school administrators are made aware when a teacher is accused of sexual misconduct when applying for a job within a school district.
“This is a sad reality,” Tipton told the committee.
This would prevent school districts from entering into non-disclosure agreements related to teacher misconduct involving students. Applicants for jobs will be required to disclose whether they have been the subject of any allegations or investigations within the past 12 months.
When considering a job applicant, a school district must conduct background checks by contacting each school district that previously employed the person. Previous employers will be required to disclose any allegations, investigations, or disciplinary actions related to abusive behavior while the applicant worked in the district.
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The bill is a response to a series of articles by the Lexington Herald-Leader that focused on teacher sexual misconduct. The newspaper revealed examples of teachers previously accused of sexual misconduct who were transferred to other school districts and accused of misconduct again.
