Rep. Harriet Hageman, U.S. Representative for Wyoming | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Harriet Hageman, U.S. Representative for Wyoming | Official U.S. House headshot
Last week, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening parental rights in education. The Parental Oversight and Educational Transparency Act seeks to ensure that parents are fully informed about their children's school activities, particularly those involving personal data collection or sensitive surveys.
Under current law, schools must notify parents annually about such activities. However, violations persist. A recent case highlighted by the Department of Education involved the Cedar Grove School District in New Jersey, which failed to properly inform parents or allow them to opt out of certain surveys.
The proposed legislation would require schools not only to provide annual notifications but also to obtain written consent from parents at least two weeks before these activities occur. This measure is intended to give parents a clearer understanding and greater control over their children's privacy.
Representative Hageman emphasized the importance of parental rights, stating: “Parental rights are fundamental to our republic, and they have a right to know when their children’s personal information is being collected or when they are subjected to invasive surveys." She criticized some educational officials for prioritizing agendas over parental involvement.
The bill aims to hold schools accountable by mandating detailed notifications and explicit parental consent. It represents an effort to restore trust in the education system and reinforce family authority over student data collection practices.
Contact for further information: Esteban Elizondo, Communications Director
Alerts Sign-up