WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) and 115 Republican colleagues to cosponsor the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This legislation would ensure parents’ rights are protected when it comes to their children’s education by prioritizing five core principles that would apply to all schools nationwide that receive federal funding:

1. Parents have the right to review their school’s curriculum, reading materials, and state academic standards.
2. Parents have the right to lawfully engage with their local school board and educators.
3. Parents have the right to see a school’s budget and spending, including detailed information about revenues and expenditures.
4. Parents have the right to protect their child’s privacy.
5. Parents have the right to keep their child safe and be updated on any violent activity at school.

“As a mom of two and a former educator, I firmly believe that the relationship between parents and schools should be collaborative, not adversarial,” Congresswoman Letlow said. “Education is not a job parents or schools can do by themselves, it requires us to work together. This bill contains common-sense ideas, and it also fully opens the door for those partnerships.”

“Parents have the right to have a say when it comes to their children’s education,” said Congressman Finstad. “Last year, we saw parents speak out against mask mandates and dangerous ideologies like Critical Race Theory taught in their children’s classrooms. In response, the National School Boards Association characterized these parents’ actions as ‘domestic terrorism’ and shamefully called on this administration to threaten them with federal investigation.1

“As a dad of seven, and as a taxpayer, I believe that parents have a fundamental right to know the curriculum, policies, and safety procedures in place at their children’s school. Parents must be allowed to have a dialog with educators and policymakers on issues that impact their children without fear of retaliation. The Parents Bill of Rights Act is about protecting a family’s rights when it comes to public education, and I am proud to support it.”

For a summary of the legislation from the House Committee on Education and Labor, click here.

Letter from National School Boards Association | 09-29-2021