Ohio Governor Signs Historical Documents Law

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed into law a bill that requires students in grades 4-12 be taught the original texts of the state and U.S. constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and other documents. Proponents of the bill signed Friday said it was important for students to study the actual texts and not just summaries and analyses. The law, which takes effect in three months, would require high school end-of-course examinations in American history and American government, and at least 20 percent of the government exam would relate to the documents by the 2013-2014 school year. Critics have included Democrats who say the documents are culturally narrow, failing to include texts such as the Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation and Constitutional amendments that address women's rights and civil rights.