Parade by Schoolchildren Fits In With Rules on Teaching Patriotism

It was not a big parade as these things go, or even an extravagant one. But nobody could question its patriotic fervor.

One boy carried a drum, another shook a tambourine, a third clanged a bell. Wheelchairs and walkers were decorated with red, white and blue streamers.

Then the 30 youngsters at R.H. Dana Exceptional Needs Facility hoisted miniature American flags, and with the help of their teachers, sang “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

“I love this parade,” said Adam Keen, 4, a Mission Viejo youngster dressed in a dark blue T-shirt emblazoned with the flag.

For the students at the Dana Point school for handicapped youngsters, the ceremony was a way of observing the nation’s Independence Day, albeit a day early. But for teachers and administrators, it also served to comply with state-mandated guidelines that patriotism be taught in schools.

The California Education Code states that public schools must instill in students American ideals, and Orange County school officials say they are trying to do just that.

Officials say the enthusiasm students and teachers have for participating in patriotic exercises is at its highest level since the early 1960s, although some critics say schools aren’t doing enough.

“I am horrified because I think patriotism is being phased out in our public schools,” said Wally George, the conservative Orange County television commentator. “The love of this country should be instilled in every kid, but it isn’t being done. I get letters from all over the country from students who tell me that their teachers do nothing more than knock and tear down this country.”

Still, school administrators point to regular patriotic observances that are held throughout the county each day that teach youngsters to love and respect their country. And they note that patriotism is taught in different forms, in classes that emphasize U.S. history, civics and the workings of American government.

For younger students particularly, school officials say the sense of patriotism begins early, and often.

At El Toro Marine Elementary School, for example, where 98% of the students are dependents of Marines, school begins each day with a flag-raising ceremony in a courtyard, followed by a song and the Pledge of Allegiance.

At Santa Ana’s Franklin Elementary School, awards are given regularly to students who display good citizenship and follow the school’s rules, and recent immigrants are introduced to American patriotism through various observances and celebrations.

“The teaching of patriotism is an ongoing process that begins in kindergarten and continues daily,” said Lupe O’Leary, Franklin’s principal. “You can’t just say, ‘Class, today we are going to learn patriotism.’ ”

William Eller, the assistant superintendent of instructional operations for Capistrano Unified School District, said patriotism at his district’s schools is on an upswing since the U.S. victory in the Persian Gulf War.

“Desert Storm was featured at many of our graduations,” he said. “I think it has to do with honoring our men and women who were willing to risk their lives in that military venture.”

But, he stressed that it is up to the schools to teach children there is more to patriotism than just waving the flag.

“We want them to get involved in the democratic process,” he said. “We want to develop leaders; we want them to understand that good citizenship can be as little as knowing to raise your hand when you want to talk instead of just blurting out.”

The state Education Code itself is quite specific in ordering the teaching of patriotism.

It requires, among other things, a patriotic exercise, such as a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, be conducted at the beginning of each school day. It also mandates that teachers conduct themselves in a patriotic manner.

“Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism and a true comprehension of the rights, duties and dignity of American citizenship,” one section states.

Another prohibits teachers from endorsing communism, although it does allow government and history teachers to discuss it factually.

“No teacher giving instruction in any school . . . shall advocate or teach communism with the intent to indoctrinate or to inculcate in the mind of any pupil a preference for communism . . . for the purpose of undermining patriotism for, and the belief in, the government of the United States and this state,” the code says.

It defines communism as a “political theory that the presently existing form of government of the United States or this state should be changed by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means to a totalitarian dictatorship which is based on the principles of communism as expounded by Marx, Lenin and Stalin.”

While commentator George believes that the schools are failing to teach patriotism, not every one agrees.

Amin David, president of Los Amigos of Orange County, a Latino organization, said schools are doing a good job of teaching patriotism, particularly to new immigrants.

“The other day I was at (Anaheim’s) Lincoln Elementary School, and although 60% to 80% of the students were Latino, they recited the Pledge of Allegiance very well and they went on to sing a song I had never heard before about all 50 states,” David said. “They are learning to be proud individuals, not necessarily people who just wave the flag, but people with a deep appreciation for what this country is and what it means.”