Advocacy in Hostile Districts/States – Good Parenting 

Advocating for our students in K-12 can be both rewarding and challenging. The challenges are even greater if you are in a school district or state with policies and priorities that are very different from your own. 

We are receiving an increasing number of inquiries from parents and community members who want to know “How can I advocate for my student in a district that does not support my priorities, or in a state that does not support my priorities with regard to my child’s education?”

The most important place to start is to know your rights and to know what tools already exist to help parents. Many of these rights are actually federal law. It does not have to be contentious to request and expect that your district (and state) are following federal law with regard to the rights of parents and students. While it would be great if all school administrators, school boards, teachers and school staff were knowledgeable about these laws, this may be a prime opportunity for you to educate them in areas of concern. In addition to federal protections that every school receiving federal funds is required to follow, communication with your school is key. Many questions – like how the school or district will handle certain issues or topics – are important to know, and, in actuality, it is just good parenting to ask these questions and expect answers. School and parents should work together for the sake of our children. These suggestions should help make your conversations with your school more effective. 

Surveys – Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment 

Are you aware that the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) allows parents to opt their child out of certain invasive surveys, like Social and Emotional (SEL) surveys and School Climate surveys? Many of these forms need to be completed at the beginning of the school year. 

Are you aware that, under the PPRA, parents can see surveys BEFORE they are administered? 

Ask your school where you can find the opt out form, what is the survey schedule and what will your child do when they are not taking a survey that is being administered to the class? 

Tips: Request confirmation that your teacher/school has received your opt out form and keep a copy of your opt out form. Tape a copy of the school survey schedule on your fridge. Talk to your student about surveys, let them know you have opted them out of participation. Remind them not to take surveys at schools. If they are given a survey in violation of the opt out you submitted, reach out to the school immediately. 

In addition to your rights included in PPRA, there are other ways to ensure your child is not exposed to invasive surveys at school, including finding out when these surveys are being given and calling your student out of school during that class block.

Curriculum Review – Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment 

Are you aware that the PPRA also allows parents to inspect curriculum? Take the time to request this review. In addition, review the reading list associated with a class. Some schools will say that the curriculum is “copyright protected” and cannot be made available. Do not accept this response. If the school still refuses to let you review the curriculum, please reach out to us!

Curriculum review is particularly important in states where “Ethnic Studies” is a mandated graduate requirement. It is important that parents review ethnic studies curriculum as Parents Defending Education has found many lessons with critical race theory, gender ideology and antisemitism included in ethnic studies curriculum. Many ethnic studies courses also encourage students to become activists for far-left political causes.

Review Your Child’s Official Student Record – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Did you know that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) parents can request to review their child’s Official Student Record? Schools should not be keeping separate records, hidden from parents. 

Things to look for in your student’s official record: different names or pronouns, restroom or locker room accommodations that are different from their biological sex, and any mental health counselor sessions you were not aware of.

Title IX Status

Currently, 26 states are involved in litigation against the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX rewrite. These states cannot enforce the policies in the rewrite. Ask your school what their pronoun enforcement and bathroom policies are, and what these policies are based on. If you are in a state that has an injunction against the Biden Title IX rewrite, the district’s policies cannot be based on the rewrite. 

If you live in a state where the new Title IX regulations are in effect (as of August 1, 2024) it’s important to talk to your children in an age-appropriate way about what these changes mean. How will you and your student handle seeing a member of the opposite sex in a restroom? How will you and your student handle a student or teacher wanting to be referred to by different names and pronouns? How will you and your female student handle competing in athletics against a team with a biological male?

Get Involved!

The best way to know what is going on in your child’s school is to get involved. Joining a school committee is a great way to learn what is going on, to get to know teachers and staff, and to contribute in a meaningful way. Attend your school’s PTA meetings. These meetings cover a variety of topics impacting your school. BUT be aware that the national PTA organization pushes certain political and ideological positions. Getting to know other parents is a great way to stay informed about what is happening at the school, learn about the experiences of other students and families, and learn about the priorities of the school and implementation of programs. 

Communicate with Your Kids!

Talk to your kids about their school days, about their interactions with teachers and other students, and about what they are doing in class. Look over their assignments and homework. Review tests and papers that come home, and also review online assignments and submissions.  Think of this as an opportunity to talk with your child about what they are learning in class and how the class is being conducted, as opposed to a discussion about grades. 

Tip: Many schools do not distribute tests and quizzes for students to take home. If your school has this policy, make an appointment to go into your school to review these documents 

Reach out to us at [email protected] if we can assist with anything. Thank you for advocating for your students!