Know the ABCs of Parental Rights
August 28, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
by Tabitha Walter, Executive Director, Eagle Forum
Parents Have Federal Rights to Make Decisions for Their Child
What can parents do to ensure their parental rights are being respected? As a start, parents must exert those rights by asking questions. Some examples of questions to ask are:
What is the school’s response to a child who wishes to change their gender? What is the bathroom policy? Are parents notified if a child wishes to change their pronouns or name?
Do any of the library books contain sexually explicit materials?
What is the school curriculum on racism?
Are there opt-out or opt-in options for lessons that may conflict with a family’s beliefs?
Are teachers allowed to display politically charged materials in their room like Pride or Black Lives Matter flags?
What surveys are given to students throughout the year? Who collects and stores that information? How can I exercise my right to opt out?
To review more detailed questions to ask teachers or school faculty, check out 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask by the Courage Is a Habit organization.
In 2023, the House of Representatives passed the Parents Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5) affirming a parent’s right to know about school curricula and budgets, to be heard in public forums, to protect their child’s privacy, and to be informed about violent activity at school. At the time, Democrats controlled the Senate, so the bill never moved forward. Now that Republicans are in control of both chambers and the White House, this is an issue for Congress to revisit, as the assault on parental rights is not going away.
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