NC school districts adjust to controversial new 'Parents' Bill of Rights' law
North Carolina school boards are updating their policies to meet new the requirements put forth in the controversial new "Parents’ Bill of Rights" law.
It aims to give parents more say in their children’s education.
The expansive bill provides more accessibility to learning materials and curriculum for parents. That, according to educators, is not new. However, a new piece of that is parental permission for student surveys.
“Schools have always offered parents the opportunities to see instructional materials; they post them on the school website and online. But now, parents can also request to see any additional supplementary material that schools may be using,” said Tamika Walker Kelly, the president of the North Carolina Association of Educators.
The law also calls for more parental consent and notification requirements. For example, schools will need the parent’s ‘ok’ in certain situations like medical care and if a student wants to go by a different name or pronouns.
If parents take issue with a certain topic or activity, in most cases, they can take it to the school in writing. Some students may even opt-out of certain activities. The new law allows parents to complain to the state if they feel schools aren’t obeying the law.
“Many times, if a parent chooses to their student out of participating in certain activities, then the educator or school will provide an alternative space or activity for that student to be respectful of the parents’ wishes, but also to allow students to have a matching academic experience as well,” Kelly said.
“Part of the Parents’ Bill of Rights is emphasizing the right of parents to withhold consent for their students to participate in the reproductive health and safety curriculum, or just portions,” Eva DuBuisson, Granville County school board’s attorney said during the Oct. 2 meeting.
School boards have to adjust to meet these new standards.
“Some of this is just updating the language,” DuBuisson said.
As part of the budget, school districts have until January to meet these new requirements.
In the meantime, many districts are working on draft policies and consulting with their attorneys to make sure they are in compliance.
