YUMA, Ariz. – Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation last week to prevent students from being asked certain questions at school without first getting consent from their parents.
Topics range from political and religious beliefs, sexual behavior, or whether anyone in the student’s family owns a gun. Even questions about whether a family has an emergency plan in case of a disaster would be off-limits without a parent’s permission.
Yuma County Superintendent Tom Tyree said, “They tend to provide information on how students are doing academically. I don’t think what we need to do ever is get into personal information.”
We spoke with one parent who disagrees and says teachers should get involved.
David Retondo who’s against the bill said, “I think it’s a bad idea because kids should be able to express themselves. I think questions like that should be asked if the teacher shows interest that way in their [students] personal lives.”
Marisela Nuñez who’s a parent and agrees with the passing of the bill said, “I don’t know, I just don’t think they should ask kids those things.”
The new law would also allow any parent to complain to the attorney general or county attorney, who then can sue the school to comply with the requirements. And if a school doesn’t fix the problem it’s subject to a penalty of up to $500 for each violation.
Tyree adds, “I think just some good old common sense will prevail there. If we’re going to ask students or obtain information on students what we should do is let it be educational in nature.”