Across the country, parents are sending a clear message:

K–12 public education is off-track, and transparency is non-negotiable.

These examples underscore the growing national demand for parental authority,

curriculum openness, and genuine accountability from school districts.

Colorado: Majority of Voters Say the K–12 System Is on the Wrong Track

A new statewide poll shows 57% of Colorado voters believe their K–12 public schools are headed in the wrong direction—a sharp rebuke to the state’s education establishment. What’s driving the frustration?

• Academic performance continues to stagnate post-COVID
• Families feel crowded out of major decisions
• Politicization inside classrooms remains a top concern
• Many voters say funding is less the issue than how funds are used

Parents have long voiced these concerns at school board meetings, but now the broader public sees the same red flags: schools moving away from academic focus, transparency, and parents’ rights.

This poll is more than a data point—it signals a cultural shift. Parents’ Rights In Education is not a fringe issue; it’s mainstream. Colorado families—and voters—want schools to return to academics, age-appropriate curriculum, and respect for parental authority.

New Jersey: School Board Passes a Strong Opt-Out & Transparency Policy

Meanwhile, in Colts Neck, New Jersey, the local school board approved a robust “parents’ rights” policy that affirms:

• Parents may opt their children out of lessons conflicting with family values or religious beliefs
• Schools must provide clear, advance notice of sensitive or controversial instructional materials
• Parents—not administrators—hold the primary authority over their children’s upbringing
• Curriculum transparency is required
• Staff must notify parents about sensitive student issues

In an era when many districts across the nation push parents away from critical information, Colts Neck is moving in the opposite direction—back toward partnership with families.

PRE leaders across the country can point to policies like this as evidence that local action works. This is exactly how school districts change: elect strong board members, show up, and stay engaged.

Why This Matters: A National Mandate for Parents’ Rights

Colorado’s polling and New Jersey’s board action are two sides of the same national trend:

Parents expect transparency.
Parents expect accountability.
Parents expect to be respected—not managed.

And where parents show up—students win, communities win, and trust in public education begins to recover.

For PRE supporters, these stories offer both clarity and momentum. The movement is working!

By the Numbers

• 57% — Colorado voters who say K-12 is on the wrong track
• 1 — New Jersey school board with a model opt-out policy, soon to be followed by many more
• 50 states — Where PRE supporters and affiliates are engaging school boards, running for office, and helping shape policy

My Take: Suzanne Gallagher, Parents’ Rights In Education

The debate is no longer whether parents should have rights—it’s whether districts will recognize what voters already know: Parents are the primary stakeholders in a child’s education.

Colorado shows the public is losing patience with systems that shut parents out.

New Jersey shows what happens when families reclaim their rightful seat at the table.

Local boards are where the change begins—and where parents have the most power.

• We don’t have to wait for state legislatures.
• We don’t have to wait for Washington.
• And PRE is here to help every step of the way.

Call to Action: What You Can Do This Week

1. Share this article with your local school board members

Especially those undecided on parental opt-out policies.

2. Start or strengthen a local PRE Affiliate

Your community needs organized, confident parents ready to lead.

3. Attend the next board meeting

Even one well-informed parent can shift the entire tone of a meeting.

4. Encourage your board to adopt a transparency & opt-out policy

PRE can provide model language—just ask.

5. Join Club 12×12 and the PRE Leadership Center

Get trained. Get connected. Make an impact.