{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-202.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-202.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-202.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-202.html"}],"law_id":54049,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54049,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-202","catch_line":"Instruction in history and principles of flags of United States and Virginia; pledge of allegiance to American flag; guidelines developed by the Board","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 22-165; 1980, c. 559; 1996, cc. 122, 124; 1998, c. 128; 2001, c. 666.","full_text":"A\n\nInstruction in the history and principles of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth shall be given in one or more grades in every school division. The instruction shall include the pledge of allegiance and the appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of such flags.\n\t\t\tIn recognition of the civic heritage of the United States of America, all students shall be required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and to demonstrate such knowledge.B\n\nTo promote compliance with constitutional restrictions as well as observance of constitutional rights, the Board of Education shall, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, develop guidelines on constitutional rights and restrictions relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the American flag in public schools.\n\t\t\tThe Board’s guidelines shall include, but shall not be limited to, provisions which address the following: the initiative and involvement of local school boards, individual schools, administrators, teachers, and students; the propriety and constitutionality of any recitation or participation requirements; appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth; and relevant state and federal constitutional concerns, such as freedom of speech and religion.\n\t\t\tThese guidelines shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). However, to provide appropriate opportunity for involvement by the general public, teachers, and local school boards, the Board of Education shall conduct public hearings prior to establishing such guidelines. Thirty days prior to conducting such hearings, the Board shall give written notice by mail of the date, time, and place of the hearings to all local school boards and any other persons requesting to be notified of the hearings and publish notice of its intention to hold such hearings in the Virginia Register of Regulations. Interested parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to the adoption of such guidelines.C\n\nEach school board shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom of the school division and shall ensure that the flag of the United States is in place in each such classroom. Each school board shall determine the appropriate time during the school day for the recitation of the Pledge. During such Pledge of Allegiance, students shall stand and recite the Pledge while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts or in an appropriate salute if in uniform; however, no student shall be compelled to recite the Pledge if he, his parent or legal guardian objects on religious, philosophical or other grounds to his participating in this exercise. Students who are thus exempt from reciting the Pledge shall remain quietly standing or sitting at their desks while others recite the Pledge and shall make no display that disrupts or distracts others who are reciting the Pledge. School boards shall provide appropriate accommodations for students who are unable to comply with the procedures described herein due to disability.\n\t\t\tThe school board’s code of conduct shall apply to disruptive behavior during the recitation of the Pledge in the same manner as provided for other circumstances of such behavior.D\n\nThe Office of the Attorney General shall intervene on behalf of local school boards and shall provide legal defense of the provisions of this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":198409,"text":"Instruction in the history and principles of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth shall be given in one or more grades in every school division. The instruction shall include the pledge of allegiance and the appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of such flags.\n\t\t\tIn recognition of the civic heritage of the United States of America, all students shall be required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and to demonstrate such knowledge.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":198410,"text":"To promote compliance with constitutional restrictions as well as observance of constitutional rights, the Board of Education shall, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, develop guidelines on constitutional rights and restrictions relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the American flag in public schools.\n\t\t\tThe Board’s guidelines shall include, but shall not be limited to, provisions which address the following: the initiative and involvement of local school boards, individual schools, administrators, teachers, and students; the propriety and constitutionality of any recitation or participation requirements; appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth; and relevant state and federal constitutional concerns, such as freedom of speech and religion.\n\t\t\tThese guidelines shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). However, to provide appropriate opportunity for involvement by the general public, teachers, and local school boards, the Board of Education shall conduct public hearings prior to establishing such guidelines. Thirty days prior to conducting such hearings, the Board shall give written notice by mail of the date, time, and place of the hearings to all local school boards and any other persons requesting to be notified of the hearings and publish notice of its intention to hold such hearings in the Virginia Register of Regulations. Interested parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to the adoption of such guidelines.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":198411,"text":"Each school board shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom of the school division and shall ensure that the flag of the United States is in place in each such classroom. Each school board shall determine the appropriate time during the school day for the recitation of the Pledge. During such Pledge of Allegiance, students shall stand and recite the Pledge while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts or in an appropriate salute if in uniform; however, no student shall be compelled to recite the Pledge if he, his parent or legal guardian objects on religious, philosophical or other grounds to his participating in this exercise. Students who are thus exempt from reciting the Pledge shall remain quietly standing or sitting at their desks while others recite the Pledge and shall make no display that disrupts or distracts others who are reciting the Pledge. School boards shall provide appropriate accommodations for students who are unable to comply with the procedures described herein due to disability.\n\t\t\tThe school board’s code of conduct shall apply to disruptive behavior during the recitation of the Pledge in the same manner as provided for other circumstances of such behavior.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":198412,"text":"The Office of the Attorney General shall intervene on behalf of local school boards and shall provide legal defense of the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12955,"edition_id":1,"name":"Programs and Courses of Instruction Generally","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12954,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":181371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12955,"identifier":"1","token":"22.1\/13\/1","url":"\/22.1\/13\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12954,"edition_id":1,"name":"Programs, Courses of Instruction and Textbooks","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":181369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12954,"identifier":"13","token":"22.1\/13","url":"\/22.1\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66514,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199","catch_line":"Kindergarten programs suitable for certain children","url":"\/22.1-199\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199","metadata":false},{"id":80944,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.1","catch_line":"Programs designed to promote educational opportunities","url":"\/22.1-199.1\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.1","metadata":false},{"id":86271,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.2","catch_line":"Standards for remediation programs established","url":"\/22.1-199.2\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.2","metadata":false},{"id":87068,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-199.3\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.3","metadata":false},{"id":61709,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.4","catch_line":"At-Risk Student Academic Achievement Program and Fund","url":"\/22.1-199.4\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.4","metadata":false},{"id":79867,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.5","catch_line":"After school programs for at-risk students","url":"\/22.1-199.5\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.5","metadata":false},{"id":58840,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.6","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/22.1-199.6\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-199.6","metadata":false},{"id":75210,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-199.7","catch_line":"Community schools; 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student-athletes; compensation and representation for name, image, or likeness","url":"\/22.1-212.2_4\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-212.2_4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83383,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-201","catch_line":"Study of documents of Virginia history and United States Constitution","url":"\/22.1-201\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-201","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76946,"structure_id":12955,"section_number":"22.1-202.1","catch_line":"Comparative religion as elective course","url":"\/22.1-202.1\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-202.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-202\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1980, chapter 559; in 1996, chapters 122<\/a> and 124<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 128<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 666<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86911,"section_number":"2.2-4000","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4000\/"}],"permalink":{"id":181437,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54049,"identifier":"22.1-202","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-202","url":"\/22.1-202\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-202\/","token":"22.1\/13\/1\/22.1-202","dublin_core":{"Title":"Instruction in history and principles of flags of United States and Virginia; pledge of allegiance to American flag; guidelines developed by the Board","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-202","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Instruction in the history and principles of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth shall be given in one or more grades in every school division. The instruction shall include the pledge of allegiance and the appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of such flags.\n\t\t\tIn recognition of the civic heritage of the United States of America, all students shall be required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and to demonstrate such knowledge. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> To promote compliance with constitutional restrictions as well as observance of constitutional rights, the Board<\/span> of Education shall, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General<\/span>, develop guidelines on constitutional rights and restrictions relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the American flag in public schools.\n\t\t\tThe Board<\/span>’s guidelines shall include, but shall not be limited to, provisions which address the following: the initiative and involvement of local school boards<\/span>, individual schools, administrators, teachers, and students; the propriety and constitutionality of any recitation or participation requirements; appropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate display of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth; and relevant state and federal constitutional concerns, such as freedom of speech and religion.\n\t\t\tThese guidelines shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000<\/a> et seq.). However, to provide appropriate opportunity for involvement by the general public, teachers, and local school boards<\/span>, the Board<\/span> of Education shall conduct public hearings<\/span> prior to establishing such guidelines. Thirty days prior to conducting such hearings<\/span>, the Board<\/span> shall give written notice by mail of the date, time, and place of the hearings<\/span> to all local school boards<\/span> and any other persons requesting to be notified of the hearings<\/span> and publish notice of its intention to hold such hearings<\/span> in the Virginia Register of Regulations. Interested parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to the adoption of such guidelines. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Each school board<\/span> shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom of the school division and shall ensure that the flag of the United States is in place in each such classroom. Each school board<\/span> shall determine the appropriate time during the school day for the recitation of the Pledge. During such Pledge of Allegiance, students shall stand and recite the Pledge while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts or in an appropriate salute if in uniform; however, no student shall be compelled to recite the Pledge if he, his parent<\/span> or legal guardian objects<\/span> on religious, philosophical or other grounds to his participating in this exercise. Students who are thus exempt from reciting the Pledge shall remain quietly standing or sitting at their desks while others recite the Pledge and shall make no display that disrupts or distracts others who are reciting the Pledge. School boards<\/span> shall provide appropriate accommodations for students who are unable to comply with the procedures described herein due to disability.\n\t\t\tThe school board<\/span>’s code of conduct shall apply to disruptive behavior during the recitation of the Pledge in the same manner as provided for other circumstances of such behavior. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Office of the Attorney General<\/span> shall intervene on behalf of local school boards<\/span> and shall provide legal defense of the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINSTRUCTION IN HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF FLAGS OF UNITED STATES AND VIRGINIA;\nPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO AMERICAN FLAG; GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD (\u00a7\n22.1-202)\n\nA. Instruction in the history and principles of the flag of the United States\nand the flag of the Commonwealth shall be given in one or more grades in every\nschool division. The instruction shall include the pledge of allegiance and the\nappropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate\ndisplay of such flags.\n\t\t\tIn recognition of the civic heritage of the United States of America, all\nstudents shall be required to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and to demonstrate\nsuch knowledge.\n\nB. To promote compliance with constitutional restrictions as well as observance\nof constitutional rights, the Board of Education shall, in consultation with the\nOffice of the Attorney General, develop guidelines on constitutional rights and\nrestrictions relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the\nAmerican flag in public schools.\n\t\t\tThe Board’s guidelines shall include, but shall not be limited to,\nprovisions which address the following: the initiative and involvement of local\nschool boards, individual schools, administrators, teachers, and students; the\npropriety and constitutionality of any recitation or participation requirements;\nappropriate etiquette and conventions for respecting the dignity and appropriate\ndisplay of the flag of the United States and the flag of the Commonwealth; and\nrelevant state and federal constitutional concerns, such as freedom of speech\nand religion.\n\t\t\tThese guidelines shall not be subject to the requirements of the\nAdministrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). However, to provide\nappropriate opportunity for involvement by the general public, teachers, and\nlocal school boards, the Board of Education shall conduct public hearings prior\nto establishing such guidelines. Thirty days prior to conducting such hearings,\nthe Board shall give written notice by mail of the date, time, and place of the\nhearings to all local school boards and any other persons requesting to be\nnotified of the hearings and publish notice of its intention to hold such\nhearings in the Virginia Register of Regulations. Interested parties shall be\ngiven reasonable opportunity to be heard and present information prior to the\nadoption of such guidelines.\n\nC. Each school board shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of\nAllegiance in each classroom of the school division and shall ensure that the\nflag of the United States is in place in each such classroom. Each school board\nshall determine the appropriate time during the school day for the recitation of\nthe Pledge. During such Pledge of Allegiance, students shall stand and recite\nthe Pledge while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts or in\nan appropriate salute if in uniform; however, no student shall be compelled to\nrecite the Pledge if he, his parent or legal guardian objects on religious,\nphilosophical or other grounds to his participating in this exercise. Students\nwho are thus exempt from reciting the Pledge shall remain quietly standing or\nsitting at their desks while others recite the Pledge and shall make no display\nthat disrupts or distracts others who are reciting the Pledge. School boards\nshall provide appropriate accommodations for students who are unable to comply\nwith the procedures described herein due to disability.\n\t\t\tThe school board’s code of conduct shall apply to disruptive behavior\nduring the recitation of the Pledge in the same manner as provided for other\ncircumstances of such behavior.\n\nD. The Office of the Attorney General shall intervene on behalf of local school\nboards and shall provide legal defense of the provisions of this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 22-165; 1980, c. 559; 1996, cc. 122, 124; 1998, c. 128;\n2001, c. 666.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}