Chap. 306.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 688 of the Code of Virginia
which was enacted into law by chapter 471 of the Acts of Assembly of 1928,
approved March 26, 1928, said chapter being an act revising, amending, con-
solidating, and codifying the laws of Virginia, relating to the public schools,
the section to be amended relating to what is to be taught in schools.

[S B 30]
Approved March 24, 1932

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
six hundred and eighty-eight of the Code of Virginia, which was
enacted into law by chapter four hundred and seventy-one of the Acts
of Assembly of nineteen hundred and twenty-eight, approved March
twenty-sixth, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

Section 688. In the elementary grades of every public school the
following subjects shall be taught: spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic,
grammar, geography, physiology and hygiene, drawing, civil govern-
ment, history of the United States and history of Virginia.

In preparing the course of study in civics and history in both the
elementary and high school grades, the State board of education shall
give careful directions for, and shall require, the teaching of the
declaration of American independence, the Virginia statute of religious
freedom, the Virginia bill of rights and section fifty-eight of the Con-
stitution of Virginia, which subjects shall be carefully read and studied,
thoroughly explained and taught by teachers to all pupils in accordance
with the State course of study, which course of study shall require
written examinations as to each of the last four mentioned great docu-
ments of Virginia’s history at the end of the term in which the course
is given. An outline shall likewise be given of the Constitution of the
United States and the general principles of that Constitution shall be
carefully explained.

In connection with some one or more other courses in the elemen-
tary grades of every public school, and in connection with some one
or more other courses in the high school grades of every public school,
elementary training in accident prevention, in proper conduct on streets
and highways, and in the operation of motor vehicles as required by the
traffic laws of this State, and the reasons underlying such laws shall
be given and required of every pupil before completing the required
course of study in any such school. Instructions should also be given
in ways and means of preventing loss of lives and damage to property
through preventable fires.

In physiology and hygiene the text-book and course of study shall
treat the evil effects of alcohol and other narcotics on the human
system.

Physical and health education shall be emphasized throughout the
course by proper lessons, drills and physical exercises set up by the
State board of education.

_ The entire scheme of training shall emphasize moral education
through lessons given by teachers and imparted by appropriate reading
selections.