Charlice Byrd

How Parents’ Bills of Rights Protect Kids

BY CHARLICE BYRD

In the past, education was an issue on which most everyone could agree. In Cherokee County, we are blessed with great public schools. However, even here, we cannot seem to agree on everything. Education policy, once predictable, now is divisive.

We once agreed it was good to improve our schools; now, we debate about what should be taught to our children. Parents know more now than they did in years past about educational content. However, what rights do parents really have regarding their children in schools, and how can we protect and strengthen those rights?

Legislators heard from concerned parents, and we’ve made substantive steps to address concerns, like House Bill 1187 (Parents’ Bill of Rights) and House Bill 1084 (Protect Students First Act). These bills made progress in supporting parental rights to direct the upbringing and education of minor children (https://bit.ly/3WKPluS), as well as protecting children in the classroom by strengthening the Georgia Board of Education’s authority to punish school systems that teach divisive concepts (https://bit. ly/3zS8iBG). And, we still have work to do.

In addition to parents, I’ve heard from educators and policy experts on the issue of parental rights, and many have expressed that current law hasn’t provided enough protection for parents over how and what their children are taught.

To that end, I am working to propose new legislation in the 2023 Legislative Session — an Affirmation of Parents’ Rights. My legislation’s main goal is to affirm parents and guardians are responsible for the decisions about their child’s well-being. While we are in the process of laying out a framework of legislation, I am looking to accomplish this in three ways: 1. Protect children from racial discrimination. A student should never be compelled to affirm or profess any idea or doctrine that violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or compelled to treat individuals differently according to race. 2. Require parental permission before administering health services to students, including counseling and medication. 3. Transparency in material educators are teaching students.

Policymakers, parents and taxpayers should have easier access to classroom content.

By protecting children’s rights, affirming parental control and ensuring transparency in classroom content, we can make great strides toward making sure parents and guardians are responsible for decisions about each child’s well-being.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents Georgia House District 20. If you have any feedback, call 404-557-2218, email charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov or engage on Facebook.