Loyalty Oaths

Over 30 states now require loyalty oaths of some sort from teachers and public employees. Many of these oaths are little more than pledges of allegiance to state and federal constitutions.

Some of them, however, including recent oath legislation, contain broader provision, designed to keep Communists or members of "subversive" organizations out of the teaching profession.

"Loyalty oath" laws have long been in effect in certain states. Massachusetts passed its Teachers Oath Act in 1935. Other states, such as New Hampshire, California, and Texas, now have such measures pending in their respective legislatures.