At least 213 school districts statewide have adopted a Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) policy that restricts parents from accessing information about conversations their children have with school professionals about academic and personal issues, according to the leader of a local parental rights advocacy group.
“My only complaint is the one paragraph in the policy that violates the 14th Amendment because the 14th Amendment says that parents are responsible for the health, welfare, safety, and education of their children, not schools,” said Andy Wells, the Missouri chapter president of No Left Turn in Education.
The policy paragraph states, in part, that these conversations are an essential part of the educational process.
“The district will not honor requests by parents/guardians to be informed prior to these discussions, be present during the discussions, or prohibit conversations between a student and staff members,” the policy states.
Wells and other parents are concerned that discussions between their children and school professionals could be controversial.
"I believe most teachers are trying to educate kids and that most teachers are trying to do the right thing," he said. "There are lawsuits in multiple states, including some getting ready to happen here in Missouri, about conduct of teachers and that's where my problem comes in. We are not at the point in time where I want teachers to be able to have private conversations with my daughters."
The Epoch Times reported on May 20 that 70 schools had adopted the policy. However, since that time, Wells determined the number had increased.
“I have confirmed that in 213 school districts in the state, that policy was adopted,” Wells added. “Columbia school district is supposed to be voting on whether or not they're going to adopt that policy next month. But they are already looking at revising the wording after I informed parents in that area of the policy.”
The Missouri School Board Association did not respond to requests for comment.
Wells’ three children attend school in the Houston R-1 School District in Texas County, which has enacted the policy. When he learned of the policy language, Wells scheduled a meeting with the superintendent.
“I showed him what the laws were,” Wells told the St. Louis Record. “I also explained it to a couple of board members, and I have no doubt the paragraph will be removed very soon because there is no legal justification for that paragraph. What the Missouri School Board Association did with the majority of that policy is really good. I only have a problem with that one paragraph.”