loyalty oath

history of education

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June 30, 2026

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A loyalty oath is a pledge of allegiance, often required of public employees or applicants for public employment, affirming loyalty to a government, its principles, or constitutions. Historically, loyalty has been a crucial concept in political thought, with ancient societies like the Romans emphasizing duty to the state.12

In the United States, loyalty oaths for educators have faced legal challenges. The Supreme Court case Knight v. Board of Regents (1968) upheld a New York law requiring instructors at public and tax-exempt private schools to sign an oath supporting the U.S. and state constitutions. The court found the oath constitutional as long as it did not restrict political expression or was not vague. This ruling affirmed that states can require affirmative loyalty oaths from educators, provided they are clear and do not infringe on constitutional rights.3

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academic freedom
…required teachers to take “loyalty” oaths in order to prevent them from engaging in left-wing (and particularly communist) political activities. During the anticommunist hysteria of the 1950s, the use of loyalty oaths was widespread, and many teachers who refused to take them were dismissed without due process.
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…required teachers to take “loyalty” oaths in order to prevent them from engaging in left-wing (and particularly communist) political activities. During the anticommunist hysteria of the 1950s, the use of loyalty oaths was widespread, and many teachers who refused to take them were dismissed without due process.
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Keyishian v. Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York
…laws requiring educators to sign loyalty oaths and to refrain from “treasonable or seditious speech or acts” were unconstitutional. The case arose at a time when it was common for public employers to require their employees, including educators, to subscribe to loyalty oaths in the United States. These oaths, which…
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…laws requiring educators to sign loyalty oaths and to refrain from “treasonable or seditious speech or acts” were unconstitutional. The case arose at a time when it was common for public employers to require their employees, including educators, to subscribe to loyalty oaths in the United States. These oaths, which…
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Knight v. Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York
…private schools to sign a loyalty oath. Unlike other cases in which the Supreme Court had invalidated loyalty oaths because they were not sufficiently clear in forbidding individuals from engaging in particular activities—e.g., Keyishian v. Board of Regents (1967)—the court upheld the oath in Knight, finding that it was not…
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…private schools to sign a loyalty oath. Unlike other cases in which the Supreme Court had invalidated loyalty oaths because they were not sufficiently clear in forbidding individuals from engaging in particular activities—e.g., Keyishian v. Board of Regents (1967)—the court upheld the oath in Knight, finding that it was not…
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