ISSUE: Parents in education

OUR VIEW: Legislation would ensure parental rights in education process

Parents of today are consistently being told their involvement with children's education is essential. They often are chided for lack of said involvement, with educators contending parents are the missing link in knowing what their children are doing and not doing at school.

High on the list of issues in the debate over involvement is education regarding sexuality. Vast disagreement exists in the country over schools teaching human sexuality, with some parents arguing that is a matter for the home. Others disagree, noting the importance of young people knowing about reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention and abstinence.

Regardless of the approach, it is logical that parents would know to what their children are being exposed in school. Not necessarily if a court decision is to be applied nationally.

In November 2005, a group of California parents brought suit against their school district for not being fully informed about a questionnaire given to their children containing strong sexual and violent content.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the parents, claiming their rights do not "extend beyond the threshold of the school door." The court also stated that once parents choose to enroll their children in a particular educational program, they have no right to determine what information their children are exposed to at school, nor do they have the right to be the sole provider of sexual information to their children.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham -- joined by the state's other GOP senator, Jim DeMint, and a number of other lawmakers-- is sponsoring legislation that would make clear the court decision is not to be national policy.

The Parents' Rights Empowerment and Protection Act seeks to address problems with the court's ruling. The legislation:

* Requires any educational institution receiving federal funds to obtain the affirmative, informed, written consent of the parent before requesting or conveying information to the child on matters related to sex or sexuality.

* Creates a private right of action for parents if an educational institution violates the required consent provisions.

* Temporarily cuts off federal funds for schools found to be in violation of this statute.

* Reaffirms parents are primarily responsible for the care, health and education of their children.

Graham says the legislation should not be necessary but it is.

"The rights of parents are under assault from school districts, teachers unions and activist judges," he said. "Parental rights do not and should not end at the schoolhouse door."

Graham is equally on target about the conflicting message being sent by the court ruling: "Eliminating parental input regarding public school decisions is a disaster for public schools. The last thing we need to do is to alienate or destroy parental involvement in public education."

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