Groundbreaking Win for Parents -- Supreme Court Confirms Parents Are In Charge
- getkidsbacktoschoo
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
The United States Supreme Court confirmed this morning what parents knew all along: parents are and should be in control of their children’s education. In a groundbreaking case titled Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Court confirmed that parents have the right to opt their children out of objectionable material. The case has wide-reaching implications across the State of Michigan, as numerous districts and programs have denied parents this right for years.
In Mahmoud, parents in a Maryland school district objected to “Pride Week” books and lessons in an elementary school, and asked to opt their children out. After first approving the opt out, the district reversed their decision, and forced these books upon children as young as kindergarten. The Supreme Court, in a 6 to 3 decision, ruled that refusing the opt-out violated parents’ constitutional rights.
As Justice Alito, writing for the majority noted, “The Board’s introduction of the “LGBTQ+-inclusive” storybooks, along with its decision to withhold opt outs, places an unconstitutional burden on the parents’ rights to the free exercise of their religion.” We agree.
The case featured very important details that repeat themselves in Michigan. First, the books were not a part of the sex education curriculum; they were, as they often are, either in English or in general lessons. Second, the district attempted repeatedly to hide what was being taught. The district first claimed that the books were just in the library, then admitted they were being read, but not “taught,” then finally admitted that they were being taught, including asking five-year-olds to find people in a “pride” parade wearing leather.
If these offensive details sound familiar to Michigan parents, they should—Michigan districts have tried the same deception when dealing with their parents. Finally, the Court has put a stop to this, and affirmed that parents are in charge. Michigan law (MCL § 380.10) puts parents in control decades ago, but that hasn’t stopped districts from failing to comply. Now, parents will have the right to know what their children are being taught, and the right to opt out of matters they find objectionable. This common-sense ruling shouldn’t have been necessary, but parents welcome it nonetheless.
Matthew J. Wilk, President of Get Kids Back to School, Inc., noted “This ruling is the latest in a long line of decisions that wholly reject the ideology that school districts and school personnel know better than parents. Now, as it should be, districts will have to be open with parents, provide them the detailed information they seek, and let them make decisions. This shouldn’t be the least bit controversial. But we are glad the Supreme Court made it clear: parents are, and always have been, in charge of their children’s education.”
Get Kids Back to School has posted below an inquiry form, where parents can request a detailed description of all materials provided to their children in the classroom. This is necessary for parents to make an informed decision. Because the right to opt out is enshrined in our Constitution, failure to provide that information would violate parents’ civil rights, so districts would be wise to comply. Once the information is obtained, parents can decide whether the material is appropriate for their children. They are, once again, back in charge.
Get Kids Back to School Inc. is a 501(c)(4) dedicated to improving the education of all citizens, including our youngest. The organization provides guidance, information and support to decision-makers who will help push back the tide of erosion on the traditional curriculum, and improve and reinvigorate the education of Michigan’s students.
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