During the pandemic, school closures and the transition to online or remote learning were no doubt challenges for our Nebraska students, teachers, and parents. As students logged on to their Zoom calls and worked on their online schooling, parents were often sitting side-by-side to work on their own online remote work. Parents were able to see and hear what their kids were learning with far more transparency than before. In many cases, this experience led to an appreciation for our strong schools, but in other cases, parents raised valid criticisms over various curriculum and school policies. Because of this, I am approaching the upcoming legislative session with a key goal in mind: empowering parents.

We must ensure transparency for parents, whether it comes to the curriculum, athletic policies, their student’s physical and mental health, and books. School officials in Nebraska have on video claimed “every time that we are adopting new curriculum and materials” they “really look at the diversity, equity, and inclusion perspective”, while others have worked to transform students into “change agents”. But Nebraskan parents don’t always want their kids going to schools to become ideological activists- they want their kids to learn to read and write.

My office has obtained examples from rightfully concerned parents about surveys given to their students with questions that ask about their sexuality, sexual partners, and even their family’s dating habits and sexual activity. Parents are right to find this concerning and objectionable. They deserve the right to know what is being asked and collected of their children and most importantly, the right to decline.

Finally, parents deserve the right to examine and understand books and materials that are offered or assigned to their children. Parents across the country have become aware of books such as “Gender Queer” and “This Book is Gay”. Not only do these books violate validly held religious convictions by families across Nebraska, but in many cases include graphic depictions of sexuality that could only be described as pornography. My goal is that in every school a parental review process can be established for parents to be able to report a book to ensure the books that schools are assigning are in line with Nebraska family values.

This upcoming legislative session, I look forward to discussing with Nebraska parents and educators alike to bring legislation forward to protect and ensure these parental rights. We can and always will do more to support our schools and that starts with empowering parents.