Each year, on Sept. 17, every district that receives federal funds is required to provide an educational program on the United States Constitution for the students it serves. The Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787.
To support schools in meeting this requirement, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) maintains a dedicated Constitution Day webpage, which reminds educational institutions of the requirement to hold an educational program on the U.S. Constitution and provides a variety of instructional resources that districts may consider using as they develop their program.
In January 2025, a federal directive reiterated that all educational institutions receiving federal funds must comply with the Constitution Day requirement. The directive also instructed agencies to monitor and verify compliance, and to “take action, as appropriate, to enhance compliance” with the requirement.
As Sept. 17 approaches, districts are encouraged to:
- Review the resources provided on the USDOE website.
- Explore other educational programs or instructional materials that have been effective in past years.
- Document the program provided to help verify compliance should any questions arise.
By planning ahead and making use of the resources available, each district can ensure not only that its students receive meaningful instruction on the Constitution, but also that the district remains compliant with federal requirements. If you have any questions or concerns about the requirement, please reach out to OSBA’s Division of Legal Services at 855-OSBA-LAW.