With the NFL still struggling to hammer out a policy on the national anthem, Texas school districts could again see students taking a knee before football games or even during the daily Pledge of Allegiance.
According to state law, the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence is required from Texas school children each day, unless their parents opt them out.
At least two Texas students sued their districts last year, claiming they were forced to stand.
“I think we have such an entire generation now that thinks the world owes them something that they're just going to do whatever they want and not have any repercussions,” says SAT instructor Jean Burk, author of College Prep Genius curriculum.
“Government is not being taught correctly in schools and I think that kids are looking to the media, celebrities or athletes as a cue for what they should do,” she says. “I go back to the parents and I'm always going to go back to the parents.”
Houston ISD last year said it would not discipline students who kneeled during the national anthem. But when it comes to the Pledge of Allegiance, Burk says school districts have to follow state law, and so should students.
“If the district is going to allow it then you're just going to bring confusion,” she says. “Some kids are going to do it, some are not going to do it. Parents are going be against it, parents are going to for it. You have to make it one rule and stick with it.”
Efforts seeking comment from several Houston area school districts were unsuccessful.