What Role Should Parents Have in Public Education?
March 19, 2024 by
In the years following students’ return to in-person classes after the COVID-19 outbreak, questions about parents’ role in education and curriculum development—and the appropriateness of discussing controversial topics such as sex and gender orientation in the classroom—have come to the forefront of political debate.
A bill recently introduced in Congress, the Books Save Lives Act, seeks to answer some of these questions. Sponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), this bill would classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws, require public libraries and school libraries to maintain diverse book collections, and ensure that schools have trained librarians.1 This bill, along with similar acts such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent bill that would prevent school boards from banning books, is one response to a rising tide of states and politicians supporting stricter policy on what some view as inappropriate content in schools.
READ: Full Text of the Books Save Lives Act
On March 28, 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557, the Parental Rights in Education Act, into law. Opponents have referred to the law as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.2 The law states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”3 The law was expanded in May 2023 to extend the prohibition on sexual orientation or gender identity instruction through eighth grade.4 Since the Florida law’s passing, legislators have passed similar laws in North Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa, and Indiana.5 The increasing popularity of such bills indicates that there is a growing population of citizens who believe that education regarding sexual orientation and gender identity should be left up to parents and guardians, or at least not up to schools.
One of the leading parental rights groups in support of these kinds of bills is Moms for Liberty, a conservative political organization that defines itself as “Moms, Dads, Grands, Aunts, Uncles, and, Friends … dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating, and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.”6 In addition to supporting legislation similar to HB 1557, Moms for Liberty has also organized multiple demonstrations at school board meetings around the country, galvanizing parents and other concerned community members who believe that schools are overstepping their bounds in how they educate children. The message of Moms for Liberty has spread into the presidential race as well, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a former presidential candidate, partnering with the organization. “Parents have one job and that’s to get this right for their kids,” said Haley. “And we have to fight for them to make sure that they get that.”7
WATCH: “Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Says She’s ‘Excited to Partner’ with Moms for Liberty on the Campaign Trail,” from Fox News
One of the more controversial stances that parental rights groups such as Moms for Liberty have taken in recent years is that of banning certain books from schools. Supporters of such measures argue that parents have a right to know what sort of literature is being presented to their children in school classrooms and libraries and to have a say in whether or not material they find questionable should be allowed to stay. This increased pressure by parents, school administrators, and lawmakers has led to a sharp increase in the number of books removed from schools in the past few years. According to a study from PEN America, there were 5,894 instances of book banning in U.S. schools between 2021 and 2023.8 During the 2022-2023 school year, there was a 33 percent increase in such instances from the previous year.9
WATCH: “Debate Over Content in School Books Intensifies at Pine-Richland,” from WTAE
The banning of books and laws such as HB 1557 has drawn criticism from opponents who argue that they are discriminatory toward the LGBTQ+ community and disrupt and degrade students’ learning environment. There have been efforts at both the state and federal levels to prevent book banning in schools, including bills such as the Books Save Lives Act. Some students who oppose greater restrictions in classroom content have protested by staging walkouts or creating banned book clubs.10
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, it is likely that the national debate about the role of parents in student’s education and related issues will intensify. For those who believe parents should have a greater role in education and curriculum development, this may mean increased scrutiny of books in schools and reviews of educational materials in the classroom. And for those who view these actions as discriminatory and harmful, there may be a greater sense of urgency to block or roll back such actions.
Discussion Questions
- Have you seen any examples of curriculum changes or banned books in your own school or community? Do you think they were justified? Why or why not?
- How should the views of parents impact curriculum at public schools?
- What if parents in a school or district do not agree about what to teach? Should schools teach what the majority of parents demand? Protect minority views and voices? Something else?
- Do you believe that removing instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity for children in certain age groups is a form of discrimination? Why or why not?
- Do you support the Books Save Lives Act? Why or why not?
As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit: Fallon Silcox, Spectrum News staff
[1] https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/12/14/Ayanna-Pressley-book-ban-bill/4131702581319/
[2] https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089221657/dont-say-gay-florida-desantis
[3] https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557/BillText/er/PDF
[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/desantis-signs-dont-say-gay-expansion-gender-affirming-care-ban-rcna84698
[5] https://pen.org/4-new-dont-say-gay-laws-passed-in-2023/
[6] https://www.momsforliberty.org/about/
[7] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/moms-for-liberty-takes-center-stage-again-2024-republican-presidential-race
[8] https://pen.org/spineless-shelves/
[9] Ibid.
[10] https://abcnews.go.com/US/school-culture-wars-push-students-form-banned-book/story?id=103377259
