As education shifts further into the political limelight, the relationship between teacher and parent is changing. According to Time magazine, the rise of conservative advocacy groups, including Moms for Liberty, the Parental Rights Foundation and No Left Turn in Education, has pushed to give parents greater control over education boards, demanding that parents have more of a say in what is taught to their children In a little over three years, more than 200 laws have been proposed that seek to restrict what educators can teach, according to The Washington Post.
The Parents Bill of Rights, passed by House Republicans in March, would require public schools to publish their curricula, send parents a list of taught reading materials and books and give parents the right to see school budget and spending. Similarly, the Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” Act, is a Florida state law passed in 2022 that prohibits public schools from withdrawing information regarding students’ sexuality and gender identity from their parents.
PSFA Vice President Colleen Stemetzki believes that the politicization of education has led to changes in parent-teacher relationships that prioritize parents’ rights over teachers.
“I do believe the relationship between parents and teachers has shifted over the years,” Stemetzki said. “After listening to teachers, who are both friends and family, it is my opinion they don’t receive the respect they deserve.”
History teacher Sharyn O’Keefe recognizes that as education has become more of a political issue, it is necessary for teachers to adopt a more mindful approach to their teaching methods.
“I think that there are times, more now than in the past, where I think about more neutral ways to talk about sensitive topics before I bring them up,” O’Keefe said. “Making sure that nobody’s point of view is highlighted, and that students are allowed to come to their own conclusions.”
With curricula being brought into question, parents are taking education into their own hands. According to data from the National Home Education Research Institute, the number of home schooled students has a compound annual growth rate of 10.1% as of 2021.
Sophomore Grace Donnelly of Sea Girt believes that teachers play an essential role in a student’s education, one that should have little to do with politics.
“The teacher’s main goal is to allow you to grow as a person and teach you everything you should know,” Donnelly said. “A classroom should be an open forum for all opinions.”
Stemetzki believes that parents should allow teachers the space to educate their children and encourage them to grow.
“Parents need to learn to respect the job of teachers and only become involved when absolutely necessary,” Stemetzki said.
