Ben Cline

03/24/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/24/2023 16:08

Rep. Ben Cline Votes to Reclaim the Role of Parents in Their Children’s Education

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the Parents' Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5). This legislation reaffirms and protects a parent's God-given right to be involved in their child's education. "Parents are furious at the Radical Left's continued attempts to indoctrinate our children with woke agendas in America's public schools. As a father, I firmly believe that parents have the right to know and make decisions on what is being taught in the classroom without fear of being silenced,"said Cline."That is why I am proud to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important legislation to reclaim parents' role in their children's education, and prevent Big Government from controlling the narrative in our schools."

The Parents' Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5) would enhance transparency among schools and parents, while clearly establishing and outlining the rights bestowed to parents. This bill ensures five commonsense principles are met by our schools:

1. Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught.

  1. School districts must post curriculum information publicly.
  2. States must provide the public a copy of any revisions to the state's academic standards or learning benchmarks.
  3. Parents must be given timely notice of any school's plan to eliminate gifted and talented programs.
  4. Schools must provide parents with a list of books and reading materials available in the school library.

2. Parents have the right to be heard.

  1. Teachers must offer two in-person meetings with parents each year.
  2. Parents must be allowed to address the school board on issues impacting the education of children in the school district.
  3. Educators and policymakers must respect the First Amendment right of parents as well as their right to assemble and have a say in their child's education.
  4. School districts should consider community feedback when making decisions.

3. Parents have the right to see the school budget and spending.

  1. There must be public disclosure of school district budgets and each school's budget, including revenues and expenditures.

4. Parents have the right to protect their child's privacy.

  1. Schools must not share student data with tech companies without parental permission.
  2. Schools must not sell student data for commercial purposes.
  3. Parents have a say when schools develop or update their student privacy policies and procedures.
  4. Parents must consent before any medical exam takes place at school, including mental health or substance use disorder screenings, and before students are surveyed.

5. Parents have the right to be updated on any violent activity at school

  1. Schools must notify parents of violent activity occurring on school grounds or at school-sponsored events while still protecting the privacy of the students involved in the incident.

For a detailed summary, click here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

###