Alaska Family Council has long advocated for public school parents to be informed of and given explicit opportunities to opt their kids out of activities and lessons on sexuality that conflict with their deeply held convictions. Click here for an interview I had with a Muslim in Maryland who was instrumental in bringing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court (Mahmoud v. Taylor) that clarified parental rights in this arena.

Click here to see a draft letter we are currently distributing to faith leaders in Anchorage, across denominations and traditions, to remind the Anchorage School District that they are bound by state and federal law to respect the rights of parents. If you are a faith leader or know of one who wants to put their name on this growing list, send us an email to info@akfamily.org. If your pastor is not on this list, you might ask them why.

As someone once said, people don’t often see the light until they feel the heat. Below is a national effort Alaskans should take advantage of to keep the fire burning on this critical issue. Alliance Defending Freedom is a long-time friend and partner of Alaska Family Council and one of the top Christ-centered law firms in the country. They have multiple victories at the U.S. Supreme Court and are standing by, ready to assist. Let’s roll.

Connecting with public-school parents seeking transparency & curriculum opt-outs

Parents across the nation need transparency and a voice in the public schools where their children learn. Mahmoud v. Taylor confirmed that parents have both notice and opt-out rights regarding curriculum and activities that do not align with their beliefs.

Alliance Defending Freedom’s Center for Parental Rights is looking to identify public-school parents who are struggling to access curriculum, while identifying public schools that refuse to honor parents’ requests to opt their children out of the curriculum and programs that undermine their rights as parents. We want to help parents access curriculum, request notice and make informed choices about what their children are taught and exposed to during the school day.

Please help us connect with public-school parents. Ask three simple questions to the parents you know with children in public schools.

— Are you sure you know what the public school is teaching your child?

— Are you struggling to see the school curriculum or obtain information about the clubs, assemblies, and activities your child participates in at school?

— Has your child’s public school refused to honor requests to have your child opt out or provide reasonable alternatives to avoid programs and lessons that conflict with your family’s values?

For any parents who answer “yes” to any of these questions, Alliance Defending Freedom may be able to help. Public-school parents facing obstacles in these areas should complete this online form to let ADF know their needs so it can evaluate which resources or help to provide. For more information, reach out to Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel, Director of the Center of Public Policy, at (770) 339 0774 or msharp@adflegal.org.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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