GOP bill to give parents more influence over schools passes Assembly

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Republican lawmakers approved a revived bill to give parents more authority over what's taught in the classroom, including the ability to sue school districts if they don't provide certain oversight.

On Thursday, Assembly Republicans passed the 'Parental Bill of Rights' which would establish 16 different ways for parents and guardians to have more control over their child's education, medical care, and more. All Democrats voted against the measure.

Some examples include giving parents the power to review materials used in the classroom, what names and pronouns are used for the child and allow them to opt their kid out from lessons about sexual orientation and racism.

"Families want to know when their children will be exposed to those topics," said Rep. Robert Wittke, a GOP author of the bill. "So that they can have a responsible way to work with them and not have everything come out of the classroom."

There was a clear divide on the issue when the bill was up for vote with Democrats and Republicans butting heads over whether teachers or parents know what's best for students.

"It takes a village to raise a child and I'm so glad for a village of teachers and other parents," said Rep. Dave Considine, a Democrat and retired teacher from Baraboo. "We have this mantra that I hear from across the aisle that parents know best. That's wrong."

His response drew swift criticism from Republicans.

"I'm a parent and to say I don't know what's best is offensive and it's a lie from the pit of hell," said Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Fall Creek). "Do we have parents that make mistakes, do we have parents on drugs, do we have parents doing wrong things -- we have that all over society, but to take those rights away from parents is absolutely wrong."

Gov. Tony Evers is expected to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

Last year, Evers vetoed a similar GOP bill that required school districts to notify parents before any discussion on sexual orientation or gender identity was brought up in the classroom. It also included a provision to allow parents to decide what name and pronouns they're allowed to use at school.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups voiced opposition to that bill and the most recent one calling it "offensive" and a threat to LGBTQ+ students.

"Forcing our teachers to treat LGBTQ youth differently because of who they are sends a wrong message to students and sets a poor example for other students that they can bully peers instead of showing respect," said Brian Juchems, Co-Executive Director of GSAFE Wisconsin.

Other opponents say it would have a "chilling effect" on free speech and interfere with teachers' ability to do their jobs.

"We need to leave lesson plans to teachers, who are the experts on what lessons are age-appropriate for children, and they should be trusted to do their jobs," said Megin McDonell, Executive Director of FAIR Wisconsin, a group that works to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

"That includes designing lesson plans that teach our children what they need to know in order to understand the world around them."

Despite pushback, Republicans are pressing ahead as there's been numerous efforts across the county to try and give parents greater transparency over their children's education.