Over the past two years, the nine-year teaching veteran was growing alarmed with the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Legislature’s increasing efforts to restrict access to books in public schools.
Virginians have used a tip line that Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin set up to submit concerns about curriculum, remote learning, controversial books, mask policies, teachers and other topics.
A New Hampshire school has rebuked the Republican US Senate candidate Don Bolduc for claiming schoolchildren were identifying as “furries and fuzzies” in classrooms, using litter trays and licking themselves and each other.
Democrats have long been seen as the country’s “education party,” enjoying most voters’ trust on such issues. But public perceptions have shifted since the onset of the pandemic.
Across the country, new right-leaning political action committees are pouring money into school board races, aiming to flip control of who governs schools in favor of self-proclaimed parents rights advocates.
Voters in West Virginia will get the final say on a ballot question that would amend the state constitution to give the Republican-dominated legislature control over virtually every aspect of public schooling.
House Republicans have introduced legislation that some critics are describing as a national "Don't Say Gay" bill – inspired by the controversial Florida law that bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade classes.
The direction of the schools you lead will be on parents' minds when they vote in the midterm elections, and they are most concerned about violence and mental health.
"The 2021 National School Climate Survey reveals that LGBTQ+ students are experiencing unacceptable rates of bullying and discrimination in the classroom, which impacts their mental health, self-esteem and educational aspirations," said Joseph Kosciw, director of GLSEN Research Institute. But evidence shows that inclusive policies, GSAs, and supportive educators can create environments where all students can thrive.
Republicans are seizing on the issue of parents’ rights ahead of November, arguing it could swing key Senate and House races toward their party and help them win back power in Congress.
