‘Parents Bill of Rights’ targets CRT, sex ed, trans youth. Here’s what else it does
As similar legislation sweeps through other states, a packet of bills that includes bans on critical race theory, sex education and puberty blockers for students will be introduced during the upcoming Washington state Legislative session as part of a “Parents’ Education Bill of Rights.”
Five other measures “to recognize the ultimate authority of parents to determine what is best for their children’s education” were also announced in an Aug. 24 press release by Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham.
“The best way to address division and controversy and reduce the level of tension and animosity is not to force a one-size-fits-all solution on every student and parent,” McCune said in the release. “This packet of legislation requires that parents make the call, and ensures they have access to all curriculum materials and resources necessary to see what their children are being taught.”
“The Individual Class Freedom Act” would prevent K-12 instructors from teaching critical race theory, or CRT.
CRT is both a legal and academic concept which “recognizes that racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice… It is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities,” according to the NAACP.
But Katy Payne, executive director of communications for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, told McClatchy in an email that CRT isn’t being taught in any K-12 schools in Washington. She said the state doesn’t “have a definition of critical race theory in the K–12 context” and said that OSPI doesn’t “collect data from districts regarding their curriculum choices” except for sexual health education, which is mandated by law.
Payne said K-12 students in Washington have been learning about “impacts of race and racism” for decades while learning subjects such as history, language arts and civics.
“These lessons do not divide students and they are not political,” Payne said.
The misconception that school districts are teaching CRT, she said, “seems to be a response to a national political and ideological narrative.”
“The ultimate harm of that narrative is the trivializing — and in some instances, outright banning — the discussion of topics that should be foundational for all Americans,” Payne said.
“Understanding our common history provides our future leaders with a foundation for thinking critically about ways of solving the problems their communities will face. The bottom line is that all students, including their culture, values, heritage, and lived experiences, should feel respected and valued in the classroom, including in discussions, materials, and lessons.”
McClatchy reached out to McCune to ask about CRT, and to ask if the Senator had any specific school districts in mind when he announced the proposal of the legislation.
The lawmaker did not respond to McClatchy with a comment. Instead, he sent a link to a Breitbart article published about an upcoming 15th annual conference hosted by Northwest Teaching for Social Justice in Portland and Seattle. Breitbart is a far-right news site once described as “platform for the alt-right” by former chairman Steve Bannon.
McCune also plans to propose legislation to ban puberty blockers for students, although the bill would only extend as far as taking the medication at school.
Puberty blockers are prescription medications that can be taken by transgender and non-binary youth to suppress the release of sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Research has shown that suppressing puberty may help reduce anxiety and depression in children who have gender dysphoria.
Another measure in the packet of bills would counter recently-mandated comprehensive sexual health education for all K-12 students, seeking reversal of the new law by requiring parents to sign permission slips for their kids to participate. The current law requires all students to participate in sex education, although the requirements for each grade level vary. Parents currently have the choice to opt their students out.
McCune’s proposal also would require the state to provide vouchers for students who attend home-school, religious and private school. Vouchers would be equivalent to the amount each student would be allocated from public school funds.
The legislation isn’t just limited to what’s going on in the classroom.
For example, “The Safe Facilities Act” would require schools to notify and get parental consent before restrooms or locker rooms “are made gender-neutral or opened to students whose gender assigned at birth does not correspond to the intended facility.”
And according to the release, “The Parental Involvement Act” requires “parental, guardian or court notification and consent prior to providing a minor student with abortion or gender reassignment treatments at school, and would prohibit school officials from transporting students off school grounds for such purposes without prior parental or court consent.”
Payne encouraged parents and families to have conversations with their students about the things they learn in school and how they feel about it. Concerns should be elevated to the teacher or principal, she said.
Democrats currently have a stronghold in both chambers of the Legislature, which means it is unlikely that McCune’s legislation will pass during the session. Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, also has rallied on reproductive rights as well as racial equity issues.
The Legislature reconvenes in January.
This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 5:30 AM with the headline "‘Parents Bill of Rights’ targets CRT, sex ed, trans youth. Here’s what else it does."
