By Theo Meranze
On June 27, 2025, in case of Mahmoud V. Taylor, The Supreme Court ruled that religious parents have the right to opt their children out of lessons and books which go against their religious beliefs. The case itself involved parents who sued to keep their children out of lessons which involved LGBTQ+ content. This decision is not only emblematic of the court’s conservative attitude towards education, but it In states like California, where public schools are already defined by religious and political diversity, schools will now have to contend with an emboldened population of conservative parents with little guidelines as to how to handle their demands. Parents will now have the legal right to at least attempt to withdraw their children from any lesson or reading that they feel goes against their beliefs. This will make implementing progressive and inclusive curriculum inherently stressful for teachers juggling a politically and religiously diverse classroom, as conservative parents will be able to throw a wrench in the consistency of learning in the classroom. In a comprehensive article, Ed Source listed some of the key uncertainties at play in this new educational paradigm:
- Can or should parents file blanket opt-out requests stating they want their child removed from any and all instruction about LGBTQ+ topics, and leave school personnel to sort it out? Or should schools ask parents to review reading lists — often available online — and let parents flag those items to which they object?
- What do school leaders do with students whose parents opt them out of a class? Their class time still needs to be used for instruction. Where do they go?
- Who watches or instructs the youngest of removed students, who can’t be left unsupervised? Some of the books cited in the Supreme Court case, including ones about a child’s favorite uncle marrying a man and a puppy getting lost at a Pride parade, are used in kindergarten and even transitional kindergarten classes.
- Will school districts need to budget money to defend lawsuits from parents whose opt-out requests may be denied?
- Can parents even attempt to opt out their child from exposure to an LGBTQ+ teacher, or a teacher who displays a Pride flag in a classroom?
Districts are currently struggling to find ways to determine the validity of parents requests. Some are opting to provide “opt-out” forms for parents to fill out in the case that they want to withdraw their child from an aspect of the curriculum. Others, due to fear that they will be strategically overwhelmed by these forms in an effort to put pressure on teachers, have decided it is best to handle requests on a case by case basis.
We will continue to provide updates and guidance as the situation develops.
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