Five years after COVID-19 lockdowns reshaped public education, parents are eager for what they see as a “real restoration of parental rights” under President-elect Donald Trump. The lockdowns exposed schools’ focus on divisive topics like race and gender, leaving parents frustrated as test scores plummeted and students struggled. Now, many hope the incoming administration will refocus public schools on core academics and give parents greater control over their children’s education.
“I believe decisions are best made by those closest to the issue,” said Cristine Tooien, a mother of three. “In K-12, that means parents and local school boards—not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. My hope is the federal government steps out, and local parents step up.”
A survey by Parents Defending Education revealed that 90% of parents believe schools should prioritize core subjects like math, reading, and science. Additionally, 77% of respondents support giving states more flexibility in running their school districts. The study highlighted a growing frustration among parents over schools’ focus on gender identity and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies.
“This poll shows overwhelming opposition to school personnel withholding information from parents about their child’s gender identity,” said Erika Sanzi, outreach director at Parents Defending Education. “People believe this trend of facilitating gender transitions without parental involvement is madness and needs to stop.”
Parents like Tooien and Lori Gimelshteyn, a Colorado mother of two, became aware of these issues during the pandemic. Both women observed that schools were spending more time and resources on ideological initiatives rather than improving academic performance. Gimelshteyn noted that in Colorado, over half of the students are below grade level in reading, and proficiency rates in some districts are as low as 4%.
“I want schools to get back to educating our children,” said Gimelshteyn. “Test scores are low, but graduation rates are at their highest—it doesn’t make sense.”
Trump has vowed to end what he calls “Critical Race Theory, transgender insanity, and inappropriate political content” in schools. His platform promises to restore the focus on academics and require schools to notify parents of any changes in their child’s identity. Under his plan, schools promoting controversial ideologies could face funding cuts or legal action.
Parents have expressed optimism about these proposed changes. “We need schools to focus on helping children reach their full academic potential, not sidetracking them with unnecessary initiatives,” Tooien said. Many see Trump’s agenda as a step toward empowering parents and returning control to local communities.
