A bill filed Monday by state Rep. Tom Fabricio would require teachers to take an oath to the Constitution and nonpartisanship.
The bill, HB 147, would require teachers to, “before entering upon the duties of a classroom teacher,” take the oath.
The language is similar to oaths taken by lawyers, doctors, and public officials.
Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, is an attorney and has been in office since 2020.
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a letter last month to superintendents after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. That letter targeted teachers’ social media conduct that he deemed “despicable” and “vile, sanctionable behavior.”
The Legislature and governor in the past few years have also passed laws making illegal teaching about “divisive concepts” and “identity politics.”
Fabricio does not sit on any education committees. He is vice chair of the Ways & Means Committee and sits on the Judiciary Committee, Rules & Ethics Committee, Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, and the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.
Chapter 876 of Florida statutes require state employees, including those serving on school boards and working for state or county school districts, to take an oath that they are a citizen of Florida and to support the U.S. and Florida constitutions.
Other states require oaths to federal and state constitutions, including California, Georgia, and New York. According to Encyclopedia.com, almost two-thirds of states since 1863 have adopted teacher loyalty oaths.
–Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
Deborah Coffey says
Why should teachers be forced to take an oath that our governor, other public officials and president don’t abide by? In fact, it could be argued that today’s Republicans are making a sincere effort to destroy our Constitution as they enable Trump to tear is down piece by piece. And would you call them non-partisan as they sit home on vacation with full pay and won’t go to Washington to work with Democrats to end a government shutdown? NO. NO. NO oath for teachers! NO, to “Do as I say, not as I do.”
JimboXYZ says
If California requires teacher oaths, it certainly lacks enforcement. Sure, wt-hey, make them take the oath. That would have to be subject to someone’s interpretation that a violation occurred, that would still have to go thru the same process that’s currently in place. This is one of those requirements that is being clarified expressly by law that was implied/implicitly covered before. If a teacher is being license revoked, it’s like anything that was ever professional licensing revoked, still going to happen & the reason(s) will be handled by a board of education/peers.
DaleL says
I see nothing wrong with an oath to the United States Constitution. The Constitution is the highest law of the land. We have not had a king since 1776. There are many who have accused more than one president of trying to be a king and to rule by presidential decree. Mr. Trump is the most recent example. Fortunately, our Constitution gives every American the right to peacefully assemble and protest. Such a protest is planned for October 18th across the country and in Palm Coast.
In spite of clearly unconstitutional presidential decrees and actions, not one President has been removed from office for violating the Presidential Oath. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Since it appears that an oath required by the Constitution cannot be enforced, then one taken by a teacher is also only symbolic.
My loyalty is clear, it is to our Constitution. The same Constitution that states in amendment 14 that no one who has participated in an insurrection may hold any office of trust in the US government. The Constitution which in amendment 22 establishes a TWO term limit for a person to be elected president.