Support Fundamental Parental Rights
Dear State Legislator,
We write you today to ask that you stand with American families and support the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) model policy to protect a parent’s fundamental rights in your state.
America is in the midst of a complete reimagining of our K-12 education system. Many states are adopting the belief that public education dollars should follow students, not systems, and parents should be empowered to make the best possible decisions when it comes to their student’s education. States are recognizing that each child possesses unique and individual needs that only a parent is positioned to meet.
Unfortunately, well-meaning parents around the country have found themselves being attacked for merely asking questions about their student’s curriculum or speaking out at a school board meeting. In 2021, the National School Board Association (NSBA) wrote a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that labeled engaged parents as “domestic terrorists.” Attorney General Merrick Garland responded by issuing a memorandum directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to work with prosecutors and hold local meetings on the issue – a move that amounted to intimidation of well-meaning parents.
In Rhode Island, a mother was shamed at a public meeting by her local school board for simply asking to see her student’s curriculum. Even after filing requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the school district continued to stonewall her by asking for nearly $10,000 to produce the materials.
Examples like these can be found around the country, leading lawmakers in 15 different states, and counting, to enact a fundamental parental rights statute. These bipartisan laws recognize that that the best way to protect our children and allow them to grow and thrive is by empowering parents, not government bureaucrats. Recently, Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) introduced H.R. 5, which would establish the federal Parents Bill of Rights.
National surveys show that 83% of American voters support parental rights – making this a unique bipartisan issue. We ask that you stand with parents and children in your state by signing this letter alongside fellow state lawmakers from around the country in support of the fundamental parental rights statute.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Newt Gingrich
Chairman
Gingrich 360
Lisa B. Nelson
Chief Executive Officer
ALEC Action
