“Parents’ Bill of Rights” Clears Senate Education Committee Vote
Proposal promotes parental involvement and empowerment
Solidifies a parent’s right to know about the mental and physical well-being of their children at school
Raleigh, N.C. — Today, the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” cleared the Senate Education Committee. The bill empowers parents to get involved in their child’s education and increases transparency.
“When schools shut down during the pandemic, a lot of parents were able to see their child’s education firsthand,” Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) said. “This bill empowers parents to play an active and present role in their child’s schooling. Parents are their child’s best advocates.”
House Bill 755 affirms the rights of parents to be involved in their child’s education, including reviewing instructional material. The bill bolsters parent involvement by requiring public schools to support and implement a program to assist families in participating in their child’s education. Schools will also inform parents of their legal rights and responsibilities relating to their child’s education and provide a guide for student achievement and information about their child’s educational achievements.
The new notification standards will inform parents of the health services offered at their child’s school at the beginning of each school year. These standards will put parents in a better position to make the appropriate decisions about their child’s mental and physical health. There are safeguards in place if there are credible concerns about the child’s safety if a parent is notified.
The bill requires parental notification if their child wants to use different pronouns in school.
The “Parents’ Bill of Rights” provides a pathway for parents to request materials related to in-class instruction so they can review the materials being taught in their child’s class.
Additionally, the measure sets standards of age-appropriate curriculum for our youngest, most impressionable students, including prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity as part of the curriculum in kindergarten through third grade. Curriculum, as described in the bill, includes the standard course of study and support materials, locally-developed curriculum, supplemental instruction, and textbooks and other supplementary materials.
Polling in Florida showed 52% of Democratic primary voters agreed that students in kindergarten through third grade should not be taught about sexual orientation in the classroom by their teachers.
Not a single Senate Democrat voted to support the bill in committee.