EL PASO, Texas -- Some students in New Mexico may not have to say the Pledge of Allegiance. New Mexico's public education department is considering an update to its rules which will allow students to opt out of saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Beverly Friedman, the department's spokesperson, said policies that allow students to opt of the reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance are already in place at some New Mexico schools.

If the department changes its rules, it would be in line with a 1943 Supreme Court ruling allowing school children to choose not to say the Pledge of Allegiance for religious reasons.

New Mexico Public Education Secretary Veronica Garcia will likely make a decision on the change this fall, Friedman said.

The move to change rule is getting support from the American Civil Liberties Union.