In its political platform adopted earlier this month, the Republican Party pledged to implement universal school choice, boost parental rights and promote "patriotic" standards for civics education.
Cut federal funding for schools “pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children.” That’s among the top 20 promises in the Republican Party’s 2024 platform.
Bethany Heintz stood before the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board and announced her resignation, saying unresolved issues in the district’s special education department drove her to quit her dream job.
The Colorado Republican Party also encouraged families who feel their rights are being stripped to identify religious exemptions that may serve as a case against the new state policy on preferred pronouns.
LGBTQ issues—namely, sexual orientation and gender identity—can be discussed but not taught in Florida classrooms, according to a settlement over the state's "Don't Say Gay" law.
Senate Bill 88, which majority Republicans on Tuesday passed out of the Senate Education and Youth Committee on a party-line vote, now says private schools would have to obtain written permission from all parents before instruction “addressing issues of gender identity, queer theory, gender ideology, or gender transition.”
The requirement was implemented to comply with the Parental Rights in Education law, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022. Supporters say it gives parents greater control over their children’s education, while critics call it the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Educators and the edtech industry must help students achieve a healthier balance with tech devices and tools, and engage kids authentically in their own digital well-being.
Motivated by some of the most pressing issues among parents, like book bans, classroom conversation and instruction, this week was an opportunity for many to take hold of leadership roles in their communities and spark change.
