OATH to OBEY School!!! 1917 TEACHER'S Pledge of LOYALTY/RI Board of Education

Description

Pamphlet (just under 3 ½” by 5 ¼”, 5 ¼” by 7” sheet folded in half) entitled Teacher’s Pledge of Loyalty, published by the Rhode Island State Board of Education, dated 1917. The text is the pledge itself and begins by declaring allegiance to the United States, the state of Rhode Island, and the school system. A few paragraphs relate to school rights, good citizenship, and personal conduct. Only the last paragraph has some disturbing language: I have no right, either in school hours or in the presence of my pupils out of school hours, to express opinions that conflict with honor to country, loyalty to American ideals, and obedience to and respect for the laws of the Nation and State. A brief note on the last page gives the date of adoption and indicates all teachers must take this pledge to receive certification as a teacher. This Teacher’s Pledge was supposedly enacted in reaction to the threat of Bolshevism and remained in effect until 1964. In that year, a group of Rhode Island College seniors refused to sign the pledge. This soon led the Rhode Island State Board of Education to abolish it. The little pamphlet is in good condition with light wear and soiling but no tears or significant flaws. A nice little piece of education history!