Parents and Schools: Who Decides What Kids Read?

Parents in New York are advocating for a greater say in what books their children can read in school.

The Current System

• Decisions about school materials are typically made by:
• The New York State Education Department
• Teachers' unions
• National organizations
• Parents and local communities are often left out of the decision-making process.

Parent Involvement

• Since 2020, more parents have been attending school board meetings to voice their concerns.
• Some parents have been labeled as troublemakers, hindering collaborative efforts to improve schools.

Book Challenges and Legal Issues

• Parents are concerned about content they deem inappropriate for younger students.
• In the Clyde-Savannah school district, parents successfully challenged certain books, but the decision was later reversed due to legal threats and pressure from the teachers' union.
• A court case acknowledged parents' valid points, stating that school officials have the right to decide if materials are suitable for students and should consider community input.

Legislative Efforts

• Some are attempting to pass a law that would make it harder for parents to challenge school materials.
• This law failed previously, and there are valid reasons why parents and local communities should have a say in their children's education.

The Core Issue

• This is not about politics or censorship.
• It's about ensuring that public schools respect families' rights and reflect the communities they serve.
• To improve schools, we need to listen to those who care most about their children's future.