Republicans in the House of Representatives are moving to pass legislation that would give parents a greater say over what is taught to their children in public schools.

Democrats say the measure is shameful and fosters a toxic relationship between educators and their parents.

What You Need To Know

  • Republicans in the House of Representatives are moving to pass the Parents Bill of Rights Act, legislation aimed at giving parents a greater say over what is taught to their children in public schools
  • The legislation is expected to be approved by the House, where Republicans have the majority, but it has virtually no chance of getting through the Democratic-controlled Senate

  • Advocates for the legislation assert that the measure, among other things, would give parents the right to know what’s being taught in schools and to see reading material, the right to see school budget and spending and the right to protect their child’s privacy

The legislation is called the Parents Bill of Rights Act, and the full House may vote on it next week. 

"The pandemic was so difficult for our entire nation," said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., at a press conference. "But the one thing that came out of it, we started seeing what was being taught in our schools. We see what they were reading."

Advocates for the legislation assert that the measure, among other things, would give parents the right to know what’s being taught in schools and to see reading material, the right to see school budget and spending and the right to protect their child’s privacy.

The bill was a cornerstone of the House Republicans' agenda in last year's election, and it was the first bill McCarthy formally announced after assuming the speaker's gavel. Florida Rep. Aaron Bean is one of the 115 Republicans co-sponsoring the bill.

"There's just a small window where kids have that innocence and let them enjoy it. And in fact, let's let them learn colors in addition and reading," Bean said at a press conference. "We don't have time to learn anything that's inappropriate."

Democrats and the National Education Association, the country's largest teacher's union, are opposed to the bill. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., a former school principal, called the measure a "waste of time" and says it pits parents against teachers. 

"Teachers kept millions of children grounded, engaged, and safe. They kept parents sane,” said Wilson at a hearing. ”And you are crafting a ludicrous, fake waste of time, a bunch of bull that you call a Parents Bill of Rights to monitor the most dedicated sacrificial workforce in our nation with some cheap stunt, pretending like you really care."

The legislation is expected to be approved by the House, where Republicans have the majority, but it has virtually no chance of getting through the Democratic-controlled Senate.