In 2025, conservative leaders are ramping up efforts to shift control over school curricula back to parents, urging lawmakers to pass laws that allow more oversight on what is taught in classrooms. This push comes amid rising concerns over issues such as critical race theory (CRT), gender identity discussions, and the perceived politicization of education. As this movement gains traction, it is reshaping the national conversation about the role of education in shaping the values and beliefs of the next generation.
Conservative Reform Movements in U.S. Education
The debate over educational content has reached a boiling point in recent years, particularly as parents and conservative groups voice concerns about what they see as the growing influence of progressive ideologies in public schools. In response, conservative leaders and lawmakers across the United States are pushing for reforms that would grant parents more control over what their children learn. These proposals are increasingly focused on contentious topics like critical race theory (CRT), gender identity education, and the broader question of what constitutes “appropriate” content in K-12 education.
Several states, including Florida, Texas, and Virginia, have already passed or are actively considering new laws that give parents greater influence over their children’s education. These reforms are designed to allow parents to intervene in curriculum decisions, particularly when it comes to controversial issues. The goal, according to proponents, is to ensure that educational content aligns with the values of local communities and does not expose children to what they consider divisive or politically charged topics.
Florida Leads the Charge: Ron DeSantis’ Education Overhaul
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been one of the most vocal proponents of this conservative education agenda. In 2022, he signed into law the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which restricts discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms. This law, which has sparked fierce debate, is part of a broader effort by DeSantis to give parents more control over educational decisions. In 2025, DeSantis signed another law requiring that parents be notified if their child’s school plans to teach any curriculum related to sensitive topics like CRT or gender studies.
“We believe that education should focus on traditional academic subjects and leave social indoctrination out of the classroom,” DeSantis stated during a press conference after signing the bill into law. His administration has emphasized that local communities, rather than state or federal governments, should determine what is taught in schools.
While DeSantis’ reforms have been widely praised by conservative groups, they have also faced significant opposition from educators, civil rights organizations, and some parents. Critics argue that these laws undermine the ability of teachers to provide a well-rounded education and limit students’ exposure to diverse perspectives on important social issues. The Florida governor’s stance has prompted similar movements in other states, including Texas and Virginia.
Texas and Virginia Follow Suit: State-Level Education Bills
Texas, another key state in the conservative movement, has followed Florida’s lead by passing its own laws aimed at restricting the teaching of CRT in schools. In 2023, the Texas legislature passed a law that prohibits the teaching of CRT in K-12 public schools. The law, which mirrors DeSantis’ actions in Florida, was introduced by Republican lawmakers who argued that CRT promotes division and teaches students to view each other through the lens of race.
Virginia, which has seen a particularly heated debate on education in recent years, has also joined the conservative reform movement. After the election of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021, his administration moved quickly to implement policies restricting the teaching of CRT and gender studies in schools. Youngkin’s “day one” executive orders called for a review of K-12 curricula to remove what he described as “divisive concepts” from classrooms.
“The purpose of education is to teach students to think critically, not to indoctrinate them with one-sided ideologies,” Youngkin said in a statement upon signing the executive order. These actions in Virginia have sparked protests from educators and students who believe that critical thinking should involve exposure to a wide range of perspectives, including those related to race, gender, and identity.
The Role of Parents in Education: A Growing Call for Accountability
At the heart of the push for educational reform is a belief that parents should have a greater say in what their children are taught. Conservative groups argue that parents, rather than state or federal officials, should have the power to decide what is appropriate for their children in the classroom. This sentiment is particularly strong among those who believe that progressive ideas like CRT and gender identity education are pushing a political agenda in schools.
Parental involvement in education has long been a priority for conservative organizations, and the growing focus on curriculum oversight is seen as a way to shift the balance of power from educational bureaucracies to families. Several grassroots movements, such as Moms for Liberty, have emerged in recent years, calling for more transparency in school curricula and demanding that parents be included in decisions about what their children are learning.
“We are the ones who know what’s best for our kids,” said Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty. “We need to ensure that our children are learning the core values of our country, not being subjected to political ideologies that divide us.”
Criticism of Parental Control Measures
However, critics of these reforms argue that such measures could have unintended consequences. Educators and child psychologists warn that restricting access to comprehensive education on issues like race, identity, and gender could limit students’ ability to navigate a complex and diverse world. Some worry that these laws could lead to self-censorship in classrooms, as teachers may fear potential backlash from parents or school boards for addressing sensitive topics.
“The idea that we should shield students from certain ideas is not only impractical, but it also fails to prepare them for the diverse and pluralistic society they will face as adults,” said Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, a professor at Stanford University and expert in education policy. “The goal of education should be to foster critical thinking, not to restrict it.”
The Growing National Debate: Looking Ahead
As more states adopt similar measures, the debate over parental control in education is likely to intensify. This issue is becoming a major flashpoint in U.S. politics, with education playing a central role in local and national elections. With the 2024 midterms behind us, many political analysts are forecasting that education will remain a dominant issue in the run-up to the 2028 presidential election.
While conservative leaders argue that parental oversight is crucial for ensuring educational content aligns with family values, others maintain that a diverse, inclusive curriculum is essential for preparing students to succeed in a global society. The outcome of this debate will have long-term implications for the future of American education and the role of government in shaping what students learn in schools.
