COLORADO – Scott James, the Republican candidate for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, has long since been a supporter of parents’ rights in education, and he stands firm in light of recent revelations about the Jefferson County Education Association’s secret surveys on students’ gender identity.
Yes, you read that correctly. The Jefferson County Education Association, the local teachers’ union, instructed their educators to secretly survey their students on their gender identity and what pronouns they prefer. And this wasn’t simply a case of miscommunication, but an entire secret operation that neither the school administration nor parents were informed of. Teachers were told to survey students using non-digital means to cover their tracks, since digital records can be requested under federal law.
This incident has rightfully raised concerns among parents about their need to be fully informed and involved in their children’s upbringing and education.
In response to the recent controversy, James states in a recently released response video: “The district told parents one thing, and then the union instructed teachers to do completely another. It flies in the face of transparency and, simply put, it’s wrong.”
This incident highlights the need for parents to have a voice in decisions made regarding their children’s education. James firmly believes that parents know their child’s needs better than bureaucrats in Washington or elsewhere, who have never met them. He emphasizes that education is a matter of state concern, and parents, working in collaboration with their locally elected School Boards, should have the ability to make decisions regarding the curriculum, materials, and methods used to educate the children in their communities.
“I stand for parental empowerment in their child’s education. Obviously, the Jefferson School District does not,” James affirms.
As we gear up for 2024, James remains committed to defending parental rights and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of students and the empowerment of parents and local communities in educational decision-making.