Constitution Day Educational Program Requirement

PURPOSE

Constitution Day requirements for educational institutions are intended to enhance observation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and provide “complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.”

HISTORY

The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. In 1998, Congress passed a law designating September 17 as a day to recognize those who had attained American citizenship and to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. In 2004, September 17 became known as Constitution and Citizenship Day and the law was revised to require that certain educational institutions hold educational programs on September 17 for their students. In May 2005, the federal government published additional instruction for educational institutions about holding their Constitution Day educational programs.

APPLICABILITY TO BYU–HAWAII

Educational institutions in the United States that receive federal funding must hold annual educational programs centered on the U.S. Constitution for the students they serve. BYU–Hawaii receives federal funding and, thus, must comply with this requirement.

REQUIREMENTS

Each year on September 17, each federally funded educational institution must hold an educational program to communicate to its students the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the rights explained therein. If September 17 falls on a weekend or holiday, an institution may hold its Constitution Day program either the week prior to September 17 or the week after. The U.S. Department of Education has not made specific regulations or requirements as to what should be included in such a program; however, the department does provide several resources to help educational institutions effectively fulfill the Constitution Day program requirement.

COMPLIANCE CALENDAR

An educational program regarding the U.S. Constitution must be held annually on September 17.