Massachusetts Middle School Accused of Instructing Parents Against Discussing Sensitive Student Survey

A Massachusetts middle school is facing scrutiny after a parental rights organization alleged it administered a survey to students containing personal questions about gender identity, sexual orientation, self-harm, and climate anxiety, while simultaneously instructing parents not to discuss the survey with their children in advance. The controversy was brought to light by DefendingEd, a national advocacy group, on October 20, 2023, drawing attention to issues of parental involvement and school transparency.

The survey, administered to students at John Glenn Middle School in Bedford, Massachusetts, included questions on highly sensitive topics. According to DefendingEd, the school sent a letter to parents stating, > "We are asking that you not discuss the survey with your child prior to them taking it. This will help us to get the most accurate data possible." While parents were reportedly given an option to opt their children out of the survey, the instruction against prior discussion has been a central point of contention for parental rights advocates.

DefendingEd, founded by Nicki Neily in 2022, is a conservative parental rights advocacy group focused on education. The organization champions parental rights in education, advocates for transparency in school curricula, and opposes what it terms "woke" ideologies in educational settings. Their involvement in this incident aligns with their broader mission to empower parents and ensure academic focus in schools.

The administration of such surveys in schools often falls under federal and state privacy regulations. The federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) generally requires parental consent before minor students participate in any federally funded survey revealing information about personal beliefs or practices in protected areas, including psychological problems or sexual behavior. Massachusetts Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.00) also aim to protect student privacy, often requiring parental consent for surveys on sensitive topics.

The incident at John Glenn Middle School has ignited discussions about the balance between collecting student data for well-being purposes and upholding parental rights in educational decisions. Critics argue that instructing parents not to discuss a survey undermines the spirit of parental consent and transparency. This situation highlights ongoing debates surrounding sensitive topics in school curricula and the extent of parental involvement in such matters, with similar controversies leading to federal investigations in other Massachusetts districts.