WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are deeply divided over how much children in K-12 schools should be taught about racism and sexuality, according to a new poll released as Republicans across the country seek to make parent involvement in education a central theme of the campaign this election year.
About 4 in 10 Republicans say teachers in local public schools discuss sexuality-related topics too much, while only 1 in 10 say too little. Among Democrats, those numbers are reversed.
The results reflect a highly politicized national debate that has consumed local school boards and, increasingly, state capitols. Republicans see the fight over the school curriculum as a culture war winner that will motivate their voters in the midterms.
Meanwhile, a series of new state laws have been introduced aimed at restricting teaching about racism and sexuality and establishing a “parental bill of rights” that Champion of curricular transparency and allow parents to file complaints against teachers.
The impetus for the legislation grew out of a heightened focus on K-12 schools during the covid-19 pandemicwhen angry parents packed school board meetings to voice their opposition to school closures, mask mandates and other restrictive measures intended to prevent the spread of disease.