Connecticut lawmakers recently introduced a series of bills focused on limiting parental access to teacher-student communications. Democrats, the majority party in Connecticut, say the bills are to protect teachers from “harassment.” The reality is quite different.

At least one of the bills proposed during the new legislative session would “protect public school teachers from [Freedom of Information Act] requests pertaining to communications with students regarding sensitive subjects, such as sexual orientation, gender identity and race.”

Writers at The Federalist argued that the bill actually limits the utility of boards of education and is undemocratic. The purpose of a board of education is to represent the citizens who elected them, and translate that representation into the classrooms entrusted with their children. The outlet dubbed the bills a metaphorical “Parents Not Welcome” sign on every classroom door.
Another bill would stop local and/or regional boards of education from “punishing or otherwise restricting an educator from teaching about subjects in which ideological differences of opinion exist between such board and educator.” The language of the bill is somewhat hidden behind goals of creating teaching environments “free from harassment, intimidation or physical violence stemming from ideological differences of opinion.”

PayPal and Venmo permanently banned a group fighting against child sexual offenders. At the same time, PayPal and Venmo allowed a group called Prostasia to keep using their services. These extremists push for the inclusivity of child sex offenders. https://t.co/x4AFvYvSa7 pic.twitter.com/S59NiCcqNn

— Million Voices (@VoicesMillion) February 9, 2023

Thankfully, a number of bills have sprung up to counteract any damaging impacts from either bill noted today, or any others that attempt to drive a wedge between family. At least one bill requires all K-12 curriculum materials be made available online, as well as allowing for public comment at meetings.

H.B. 5560 requires the establishment of parental advisory committees to boards of education, allowing parents to seemingly help shape the development and implementation of policy. Another, S.B. 278 aims to protect parents right to opt their children out of classes and course without explanation.

Protecting America’s children is the most important thing we can do to ensure a better tomorrow.

Here at MillionVoices, protecting the youngest, most important Americans is one of our core values. If you want your local politicians and lawmakers to do the same, sign up for www.MillionVoices.org today (text MV to 80550). And remember to share this article with your friends and family so they can help fight to protect American children.