Are the kids in your life back to school, or headed there soon? Whether they’re returning in-person or online, you may find yourself concerned about the kind of material your children or grandchildren are exposed to in the classroom. Students as young as kindergarten face increasingly sexualized content and may encounter material opposed to your fundamental beliefs – and that’s just in the classroom.
Thankfully, parents don’t have to feel powerless in the face of the January back-to-school season. Our new easy-to-read guide, Back to School – for Parents, explains what you need to know about potential areas for concern in your child’s school, and helps you understand what you can do to protect your child.
In the article below, a version of which appeared in The Daily Signal, our Policy Manager and attorney Stephanie Curry shares more about the FREE guide, available for download at our website. Check it out today!
Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist
How to Stop Schools from Parenting Your Children
By Stephanie Curry
I’m tired of schools trying to play the role of surrogate parents.
Like too many parents across our nation, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the radical social and political ideas that are being forced upon our children in public schools.
While I’m raising my children with biblically based morals and values at home, schools are undermining and refuting those same lessons in the classroom. They’re striving to replace my role as parent, and that isn’t right.
Parents don’t just have a vague and general prerogative to parent their children. Parenting is a fundamental right. It is a foundational cornerstone of a civilized society and a right that is clearly defined and recognized by our constitutional law.
This fundamental right to parent includes the right for us to decide what kind of educational, moral, and religious upbringing our children will have, without unreasonable government interference.
Unfortunately, it seems this ancient right is lost on our modern-day school systems, which work overtime to teach our children a radical moral code of sexual identity—one that violates the beliefs of countless families.
We don’t send our children to public school so they can be forced to consider the morality of sexual lifestyle choices.
We don’t expect our first graders to be prompted to speculate about whether their biological sex is a question that has multiple answers.
We don’t expect teachers to lecture our children about the moral consequences of voting for one candidate over another or to tell our children (illegally) that they can’t pray at lunchtime.
And we certainly don’t send our children to school to be offered free irreversible medical treatments like abortions or encouraged to consider cross-sex hormones without our knowledge or consent.
Once the rare anecdote, these unexpected scenarios are now overflowing across the nation. There is an alarming trend that concerned parents need to know about. What exactly is happening in our schools, and what can parents do to protect their children?
At Family Policy Alliance®, we have released a new book, “Back to School—for Parents,” which takes parents on a journey through each part of the school system where student and parental rights violations are trending.
The guide explains the legal rights you and your child have in the classroom, school bathrooms, sports teams, the nurse’s office, and more.
For example, in the classroom, you have the federal right to view your child’s lesson plans, observe class, and review curriculum. You also have the constitutional right to opt your child out of classroom content that violates your religious and moral beliefs.
In the nurse’s office, you have the right to limit the type of medical treatment your child receives in school, such as declining all “abortion-related” materials.
You have the right to testify at local school board meetings regarding concerns you have.
“Back to School—for Parents” gives you specific suggestions you can carry out today to maintain your rights to parent and define morality for your child even when you send them to school.
“Back to School—for Parents” lays out precisely what you need to know to face the unexpected. So, if your child is silenced in class for their faith, or you encounter radical sexual rights-based education, or you discover what can only be described as pornography on your school’s research database, you’ll be empowered to know exactly what to do to ensure your child is protected.
In addition, co-publisher Focus on the Family has provided guidance for each topic on how to talk to your child about difficult issues with a compassionate, honest, and forthright perspective. The book walks you through conversations with your child on difficult topics, like sexuality, identity, pornography, and more.
With this guide, you no longer have to wonder how you can possibly protect your child’s moral, ethical, and religious beliefs at school—a place where some of the biggest controversial issues of this generation are argued.
We believe parents—not the government—are best at parenting. “Back to School—for Parents” will help provide much-needed support families are seeking so they can do what they do best—parent their child.
The guide is free for download at Family Policy Alliance’s website. Check it out and share it with friends and family today.
Earlier this week, we let you know about our brand-new, FREE book for parents: Back to School—for Parents. This book, which Dr. Michelle Cretella, Executive Director for American College of Pediatricians, called “the most important book a parent will ever read,” is designed to help you understand what’s happening in your child’s school – and do something about it. Each chapter of the book addresses a particular area of the school – the classroom, counselor’s office, school devices, etc.
Wondering what it’s like? Today we’re pleased to offer an abridged excerpt from the “Classroom” chapter. To read more, download your copy of the guide today and share it with friends!
Protecting Your Child in the Classroom
COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION
Parent/Community Voices
Parents and concerned citizens in Washington state were upset when legislators passed a “Comprehensive Sex Education” (CSE) bill – and started finding out what was in some approved CSE curriculums. One mother said, “I began reading all these lessons for children as young as five that talked about sexual intercourse, how their private organs worked, and even introduced pornography to really young children.” The parents note that activist groups like Planned Parenthood are behind the push to require all schools to teach sexual education.
What’s Happening With Comprehensive Sex Education. . .
Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) is a radical “rights-based” sexuality curriculum that is being taught in many public schools, replacing the facts-based sex education of the past. Basic sex education previously promoted abstinence with a focus on biology, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD/I) prevention. Today, well-funded activist non-government organizations, like Planned Parenthood, the Sexuality and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS is a private, activist organization), and Advocates for Youth, are forcing an extremist social and political ideology into our children’s classrooms under the “comprehensive sex education” banner.
It may be a surprise for many parents to learn Planned Parenthood is actually one of the largest writers and distributors of sex education curriculum in the world—a curriculum framework that teaches every child, of any age, has sexual rights, including the right to experience sexual pleasure, no matter what, as long as there is “consent.”
For example, Planned Parenthood materials (that are in many classrooms across the United States) teach:
Sex is always a good decision . . .
. . . no matter what age the child, no matter how risky the sex. . .
. . .no matter how drunk or high the child. . .
. . . And especially without parental involvement!
Be Aware!
How do I recognize Comprehensive Sex Ed in the Classroom?
Not all CSE curriculums will go by this name. Here are specific examples of content red flags that your school may be teaching radical comprehensive sex education.
| CSE Often: |
Sex Education Words We DON’T Like (Red Flagged Words): | |
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Know Your Rights!
- Parental Consent:Many states allow a parent to consent to their child taking sex education or health classes. This means you can say “No!” and opt your child out of sex education classes entirely. In addition, if classroom content violates your religious beliefs or rights of conscience, you have the right to opt your child out of specific lessons. Be sure to submit your opt-out to your school officials in writing! Note: Planned Parenthood and other extreme social groups are fierce advocates of eliminating parents from a child’s sexual decision-making, including the consequences of teen sex. These groups want your child to be able to access contraceptives, birth control, STI treatment, and even abortion without your knowledge or consent. Some state laws allow parents to be excluded from these decisions their child may make. See Chart (available in the full guide online)
- Curriculum Review: You have the federal (and often state) right to request a copy of your child’s school curriculum from your local school board of education. School districts may also post-school curriculums on their websites. School curriculum is usually considered a matter of public record and is required to be released to families, although you may be responsible for copying costs. Take this opportunity to review curriculum for inappropriate content, biased material, or content that contradicts your family’s values. Be prepared to talk with your child about your values and beliefs and what they are being taught.
- Lesson Plan Review: You have the federally protected right to review teacher lesson plans and examine textbooks and other supplemental materials (like videos, activities, games, etc.). As a courtesy, be sure to give the teacher ample notice you’d like to review their lesson plans or other instructional materials. It is also important to build good relationships with your students’ teachers to make access to content far easier.
- Observe Class: You have the federally protected right to observe your child’s class. You may need to provide the school notice beforehand. Some schools are actively seeking parents to sign waivers that they will not observe their child’s classroom. You have the federally protected right to do so, even if you’ve signed a waiver and later change your mind.
ALSO INCLUDED in the full guide: MORE ways to protect your child, plus resources and tips for talking with your child about sex and related issues!
Want to get the details on what you need to know and what you can do about it? Download our FREE guide today, and be sure to share with friends!
Sincerely,
Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist
The most important book a parent will ever read? That’s what Dr. Michelle Cretella, Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians has called it. Today, we are thrilled to release to you a brand-new (and FREE) book we’ve coauthored with Focus on the Family: Back to School—for Parents.
If you’re like many parents, the classroom may have come home for you in 2020—and it may have revealed that you don’t like everything your student is learning in the classroom. And it’s no wonder. Families today face unprecedented challenges at school. The content may be overly sexualized, teach radical viewpoints as fact, or shut down faith-based perspectives – just to name a few concerns.
We receive questions every week from parents about what their rights are, how to navigate the bureaucracies responsible for passing these harmful policies, and how to handle these issues with children at home. We’ve created Back to School—for Parents to answer these questions, because we firmly believe that parents—not any government entity—are truly best at parenting.
The guide is filled with critical information for parents. Did you know that in some schools, a counselor could coach your child to “transition” genders or get an abortion without your consent or even your knowledge? Or that your school’s “secure” research database may be harboring pornographic images easily accessible to students? Or that your child might be told they can’t pray during lunch-time? Back to School—for Parents offers these and other important and eye-opening information for parents, together with practical help for parents who want to prevent or address these situations.
Back to School—for Parents comes highly endorsed from leading organizations, including the American College of Pediatricians. Executive Director Dr. Michelle Cretella said of the guide, “I can authoritatively say that Back to School—for Parents … is the most important book a parent will ever read. Download one for yourself, and for each of your family members and friends who cherish their kids!” Other endorsees include the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, Concerned Women for America, Gateways to Better Education, American Principles Project, and Save Women’s Sports.
For parents who have concerns about a particular aspect of their child’s school, the guide is conveniently organized into sections based on areas and activities within the school—classrooms, counselors and health clinics, bathrooms and locker rooms, sports teams, lunch time and free time, school-owned internet, and school libraries and research databases. Importantly, it also contains a section dedicated to schooling options available to families should they decide their child’s school is not a good fit for their family.
Described by others as “wonderful,” an “invaluable resource,” “much-needed,” and a “wake-up call,” Family Policy Alliance and Focus on the Family hope Back to School—for Parents will help many families prevent, identify, and solve the difficult situations they face every day at school.
The guide is FREE for download at our website. Check it out and share it with friends and family today!
Blessings,
Stephanie Curry
Policy Manager
Votes are still being tabulated for congressional races across New Jersey before the state legislature can certify the results. I am thrilled to inform you that our endorsed candidate for the New Jersey state senate seat in District 25, Anthony Bucco Jr., won his reelection campaign! He received more votes than any other person ever to run for a state senate seat in New Jersey under the current plan of 40 districts. Congratulations to Senator Bucco and all our ministry partners that invested in our Get Out the Vote efforts to contact thousands of pro-life, pro-family voters in his district through multiple mailers and digital ads.
The real battle for the soul and stability of our state is in 2021. Our state may have old voices heading to Washington, but we need a new vision in Trenton. This new vision should protect life and God’s design for family as the foundation of society—and especially the right of parents to direct their children’s education. Currently, these historical mainstream beliefs are fiercely opposed by those who hold the highest seats of power in our state government.
- As Planned Parenthood and others celebrate New Jersey public schools’ new sex ed standards—which require school-aged children to define and describe pornographic sex acts—we must win back New Jersey
- As the Education Committee chair members in both chambers push legislation that would mandate school districts to impose the sexual philosophy and sexual ethics of the state upon young students—we must win back New Jersey
- As Governor Murphy used his political weight to introduce the Reproductive Freedom Act, that will (if passed) codify into law the right to an abortion up to the point of birth—we must win back New Jersey
Together, we must stand firm against efforts to further undermine the moral fabric of our state in 2021. For that reason, two weeks ago we hosted Win Back NJ featuring Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA. This virtual event highlighted the fight for parental rights, religious rights, and the right to life. Parents, pastors, and pro-life advocates joined us live in person and by video to encourage you to Win Back NJ.
If you have not yet viewed this event, please take the time this weekend to learn what is happening in your state and how Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey is serving you by protecting students in school, babies in the womb, and pastors in churches.
Finally, this virtual event replaced our normal year end Family Gala fundraising dinner. I must ask you to consider giving a gift today to help strengthen our efforts across the state. Whether it is a gift of $500, $100, $50 or your very best, please pray about what you can do to help Win Back NJ to your values.
Let’s make New Jersey better,
Shawn Hyland
Director of Advocacy
Initially it was the Senate. It quickly moved to the Assembly. This past week it was the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Everyone is speaking up at different levels of state and local government in opposition to the new sex ed learning standards for New Jersey public schools.
These standards require curriculum so graphic that when I pasted the text in an email to government officials, the government email servers flagged and blocked my email as “pornographic.”
It’s no wonder everyone is speaking up.
Sylvia Petillo, a Family Policy Foundation® Statesman Alumni, serves on the Sussex County Board of Freeholders. That Board, too passed the resolution in opposition to the new sex ed standards. Sylvia told the press, “It is extremely important that parental rights are respected and included in all sectors of education in our public school.”
I agree, and so it seems, do many other leaders in our state.
The voices of New Jersey elected officials are becoming clearer and more committed to defending parental rights in education. The Senate resolution opposing the sex ed standards now has five sponsors: Senator Mike Testa, Senator Steve Oroho, Senator Michael Doherty, Senator James Holzapfel, and Senator Robert Singer. The Assembly resolution also has five sponsors: Assemblyman Harold Wirths, Assemblyman Parker Space, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano.
I am grateful for their public position. I am reenergized by their bold leadership. I am optimistic that we can protect students from post-modern sexual ethics and high-risk sexual acts.
But I am waiting.
Waiting for an unstoppable and influential voice to speak – The Church.
We have volunteer legislative captains scheduling virtual meetings with legislators, but they often struggle to find other parents and pastors to attend these discussions with elected officials. Most legislators are not concerned about the voice of their colleague, but they are concerned about the vote of their constituent.
In other words, they must hear from you! If you have never made a phone call to a legislator, it might seem intimidating. Maybe you avoid disagreement at all costs. Let me reassure you, our meetings with legislators and their staff are not full of conflict but graceful conversation. If you are interested in attending a meeting with your legislator, please let us know by using our online form.
If there’s one voice that must speak out, it’s the Church. Will you help make that happen?
Thank you for taking action to protect the students of NJ!
Shawn Hyland
Advocacy Director
I sent it. I resent it. I tried again – still no success. The email server for the New Jersey state legislature repeatedly rejected my email as spam. This routine form of communication that I engage in daily suddenly became difficult, if not impossible. After a productive and healthy conversation with a legislative aide to a prominent state senator, I promised to email him the revised NJ Comprehensive Health Learning Standard for public schools. The Senator’s office and I could not figure out the reason this particular email was blocked after multiple attempts.
Then it hit me…
I copied and pasted the exact words of the learning standard into the body of the email. That was a tragic mistake, because the exact words and explicit sex acts required for school age children to learn in New Jersey public schools were flagged as “pornographic” by government state computers.
Think.
The government does not allow adults to discuss these pornographic acts on state computer servers because they are obscene and inappropriate, yet the New Jersey Department of Education requires 12-year-old children to define and describe the very same objectionable material.
The systematic sexualization of young children in our society must end.
But it doesn’t end there…
I had another conversation this week with a state coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to learn how these pornographic standards got approved without a public hearing disclosing them. Unfortunately, public review and discussion are just a formality in the process. There are several bureaucratic layers within the NJDOE that are unnamed and unaccountable. They ultimately write the standards to impose their post-modern view of sexuality on young children – public comment aside.
One of our allies on the phone call asked this NJDOE staff member to define the specific act that is required by the state’s learning standard for school age children to define. It was a sincere request. We wanted to know exactly what these students will be required to learn. Embarrassed and uncomfortable, he respectfully declined. Admittedly, such conversation is rightfully awkward among adults. Imagine the conscience of vulnerable students being forced to endure this in a classroom setting.
Thankfully, legislators are taking the lead.
In last week’s email, we informed you that Senator Steve Oroho (R) and Senator Mike Testa (R) introduced SCR129 – a Senate Concurrent Resolution objecting to the obscene sex ed standards. After being involved in numerous advocacy meetings, I am pleased to announce more state senators are adding their name as co-sponsors. This week, Assemblyman Wirth (R) and Assemblyman Space (R) introduced ACR193 – an identical bill in their chamber.
As I urged you to thank our brave senators last week, please call these two Assembly members and tell their staff you appreciate them sponsoring ACR193! It only takes one call to thank both.
Assemblyman Harold Wirth and Assemblyman Parker Space: (973) 300- 0200
Thank you for taking action to protect the students of NJ!
Shawn Hyland
Director of Advocacy
Legislators Object to Sex Ed Standards
Last week, Senator Steve Oroho (R) and Senator Mike Testa (R) introduced a Senate Concurrent Resolution objecting to the obscene Sex Ed standards adopted on June 3, 2020 by the NJ Department of Education. This new learning standard obligates all public schools to require 13-year-old students to define and describe several explicit sexual acts not related to intercourse. Schools have until 2022 to fully implement this new learning standard but may choose to start immediately.
Sexual activists at Planned Parenthood and Garden State Equality applaud these new standards. As they ardently celebrate the systematic sexualization of children, we must equal their energy to praise Senator Oroho and Senator Testa for their leadership in opposing this learning standard and supporting parental rights in education.
Please read Senate Concurrent Resolution 129 below and call their offices to express your gratitude. Tell their staff that you want to thank them for sponsoring SCR129!
Senator Steve Oroho: (973) 300-0200
Senator Mike Testa: (609) 778-2012
SCR129:
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION opposing the State Board of Education revised New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education on sex education.
WHEREAS, Parents, as their child’s first and most important teachers, work hard to instill values and beliefs that will guide their children throughout life; and
WHEREAS, Even after a child undertakes formal education outside of the home, parents continue to play a key role in the child’s education, with the parents providing valuable support and guidance; and
WHEREAS, On June 3, 2020, the State Board of Education readopted the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education which include extensive changes to the standards regarding sex education; and
WHEREAS, The revised standards include certain controversial topics on various social issues that interfere with the right of parents to teach their own children about these sensitive matters in a manner that comports with their core family values and beliefs; and
WHEREAS, These revised standards further erode parental autonomy by promoting age-inappropriate sexual content which usurps a parent’s ability to determine whether a child is emotionally and intellectually prepared for instruction in sex education; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Education’s response to criticism of the standards is to note the availability of the opt-out provision, but the opt-out provision is not a sufficient protection to ensure that a student is not exposed inadvertently to graphic sexual lessons; and
WHEREAS, Any State policy governing instruction in sex education must promote parental autonomy and respect for family values and beliefs; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of New Jersey
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey opposes the State Board of Education’s sex education standards included in the revised New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education due to the significant negative impact that these standards have on a parent’s right to educate his child on sensitive sex education topics in a manner that comports with the family’s core values and beliefs. The Legislature calls upon the State board to revise these standards.
Thank you for taking action to protect the students of NJ!
Shawn Hyland
Director of Advocacy
Dear Friends,
Over the years at Family Policy Alliance, we’ve had the privilege of being entrusted with some of your (parents & grandparents) deepest concerns about your children. You’ve given us the privilege of praying for your children and of helping you decide how to best handle issues that have arisen affecting your children.
Through the course of this partnership with you, some of the saddest situations you’ve shared with us are what your children have been exposed to at school. And we’ve had the heavy responsibility to warn you about what is happening in schools across the nation.
Remember Planned Parenthood’s radical sex education curriculum that they’re pedaling in public schools or now through your children’s phones? We partnered with a diverse coalition to expose the transgender policies being sprung on children in schools, providing parents with a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing concerns. We’ve helped rally parents to oppose a radical new LGBT curriculum requirement And lately, we’ve been fighting to save girls’ sports from becoming targets in the latest round of political attacks. And so much more.
Now we’re excited to invite you to attend a virtual event: The Protecting Children in Education Summit
The virtual summit is a one-day-only event on August 12th, from 10:00AM – 12:00PM Eastern Time. The event is FREE, but you do need to register online!
Family Policy Alliance® is joining with our friends at The Heritage Foundation, Alliance Defending Freedom, California Family Council, Family Research Council, Family Watch International, and Massachusetts Family Institute to provide this first-ever event for parents and grandparents.
The first session will alert parents to state and federal—and even international—efforts to sexualize children using school curriculum. The second session will expose the curriculum itself and how it fails to meet legal standards.
This is sure to be an eye-opening event! And, you can watch and learn online from home or work.
We hope you’ll join us virtually!
For children,
Autumn Leva
Vice President, Strategy
Because of COVID-19, everyone is homeschooling. Bringing school closer to home may be a good thing, considering what many kids are learning in schools.
Ian Rowe, who is the CEO of the Public Prep charter school network in New York, tells of moving their headquarters to the South Bronx, an area that is impoverished both economically and educationally. While scouting out the area, they noticed a blue Winnebago truck that was a welcome fixture in the neighborhood.
On the truck, in graffiti, was “Who’s Your Daddy?” The truck turned out to be a mobile DNA testing center charging $350-$500 to answer questions such as: “Is she my sister?” or “Are you my father?” Demand was so high that a second truck was added. The owner said, “For years, many were carrying around a huge burden. They live daily without the assurances most people take for granted, such as: Who is my mother? Who is my brother? Am I really who I think I am?”
Rowe’s research showed that the severe educational disparities between this district and others were not due to geography, economics, and race, but were related more to family structure. In its 2010 report, “Family Structure and Children’s Health in the United States,” the National Center for Health Statistics reported that children showing the most consistently positive health outcomes were raised in nuclear families, “with two married parents, who are each biological or adoptive parents to all children in the family.”
The well-known challenges effecting children in single-parent homes makes me wonder why schools seem to be so bent on promoting Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE), which in reality teaches and encourages students to have sex. CSE perpetuates the cycle that brings about consistently negative outcomes. I believe we can raise the bar for better outcomes.
I recently spoke with Maryann Mosac, president of a wonderful organization called ASCEND. ASCEND promotes SRA curriculum or Sexual Risk Avoidance, another name for abstinence. What she said thoroughly surprised me, but she had the facts to back her up: “Teens say they feel pressured to have sex in most sex-ed programs.”
- 40 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds say their contraceptive-focused sex-ed classes make sex seem like an expectation.
- More than 1 in 5 teens say classroom condom demonstrations make them feel sex is expected. Check out the stats for yourself.
By law, abstinence is the preferred curriculum in Rhode Island, yet that is not followed in many school districts. When schools re-open, FPA will be working with conservative family-oriented legislators (yes, they do exist) to ensure better outcomes for children. Making Rhode Island a state where God is Honored, Religious Freedom Flourishes, Families Thrive and Life is Cherished begins in the family!
Sincerely,
Dave Aucoin
Chairman, Board of Advisors – Rhode Island
There is no question that comprehensive sexual education in public schools has become increasingly more graphic and political in recent years. Thankfully, parents have had enough, and they are getting involved and working together to defend their children.
One such example is Battle Ground, Washington, a suburb of the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area. Just as the 2016 school year was nearing its end, Washington State education officials released what was considered then to be the most radical comprehensive sex ed standards in the nation.
Parents were outraged, and understandably so. The new “sexual health education outcomes” ensured that kindergarteners would learn about crossdressing as a form of gender expression. By third grade, students would be taught that they could choose their own gender. Fourth graders 
would be expected to explain the differences between heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations.
Not only were the topics age-inappropriate, but the whole process seemed designed to exclude parents from the conversation surrounding sex and how it would be taught to their children in schools. Astonishingly, state education officials had drafted, approved, and implemented the state standards in secret without informing parents or any public comment period.
This was a step too far for many parents, even in relatively liberal Washington State. It became a cause célèbre of the local news cycle, even making national news for a time, causing a highly contentious showdown between parents, school districts, and state education officials.
Thousands of parents offered their disapproval by means of signing petitions and contacting the state department that oversees public education. Parents turned out en masse to school board meetings, only to be told that school districts believed they were legally responsible for implementing the state education standards.
Unfortunately, it soon became clear that the education bureaucracy had no intention of rescinding the standards. Many parents reluctantly resigned themselves to the latest diktat and moved on.
Not so in Battle Ground, Washington, where concerned community members and churches rallied to protect their children from the indoctrination being mandated from above. After learning that Washington law allows schools to avoid teaching the new standards if schools decide to no longer teach comprehensive sex ed altogether, parents began putting pressure on the school district to drop its comprehensive sex ed requirement.
Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW), a state ally of Family Policy Alliance®, worked with parents to develop the winning strategy. The school board ended up voting 3-2 to stop teaching comprehensive sex ed.
“Family Policy Institute of Washington has been privileged to be involved with the parents of Battle Ground for two years as they have stood firm for parental rights and not sexualizing children,” said Chris Platte, the policy director for FPIW.
The developments in Battle Ground, Washington, should give hope to other parents involved in related disputes in other parts of the country. This includes Austin, Texas, where distraught parents have found themselves in a similar battle.
Earlier this month, the Austin Independent School District (AISD)—the same school district that recently hosted a drag queen for “Pride Week Story Time” in one of its elementary schools—adopted a radical comprehensive sex ed curriculum, containing elements designed by Canadian abortion providers.
According to Texas Values, a state ally of Family Policy Alliance, the curriculum includes lessons teaching students how to engage in anal sex ‘comfortably’ and how to procure birth control, abortions, and other ‘healthcare’ without the knowledge of their parents.
Like in Washington, AISD officials shut parents out of the process and ignored their concerns once the new curriculum came to light. But hundreds of parents have shown up to AISD meetings and over 8,000 people have signed a Texas Values petition against the curriculum.
What does all this tell us? We need to be on notice that radical education bureaucrats want to socially engineer cultural perceptions of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Many in the educational establishment don’t think parents should be trusted to make decisions about when and how to introduce these tremendously sensitive and intimately personal topics to children. Instead, schools keep pushing the envelope, undermining the role of parents and introducing sexual topics at earlier and earlier ages.
But we should also take heart. As the events in Battle Ground, Washington, show us, when parents get involved to defend the values they hold dear, real change can happen.
It’s worth it, after all. Our children are worth fighting for. And Family Policy Alliance, along with our network for over 40 state-based allies, will be standing with you side-by-side.
Standing Strong,
Blaine Conzatti
Director of Advocacy – Idaho