“The answer is you. Train. Speak. Change.”
– Parents’ Rights in Education
Parents’ Rights in Education (PRE) is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to defending the fundamental rights of parents to guide and participate in their children’s education. Founded in 2011 as a grassroots movement in Oregon, the organization has expanded nationally, establishing a presence in Washington State and many other communities across America. Their mission is clear:
Our mission is to empower families, uphold local control, and safeguard the integrity of academic education against politicization and indoctrination, ensuring a safe and constructive learning environment for all children.
PRE believes parents should remain the primary decision-makers in their children’s upbringing and that public schools should respect family values while providing a strong academic foundation. Through education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing, Parents’ Rights in Education seeks to restore parental authority, promote transparency, protect opt-out rights, and ensure that children receive an education focused on academic excellence, personal development, and preparation for successful futures.
Schools Are Accountable to Parents
Led by Executive Director Suzanne Gallagher, one of the organization’s most important priorities is protecting parental involvement in public education. PRE advocates for parents to have meaningful access to information about school curricula, instructional materials, educational policies, and decisions affecting their children. The organization believes that parents should be informed about what their children are learning and should have opportunities to raise concerns about classroom instruction that conflicts with their family values.
It also supports greater transparency regarding sensitive subjects, including sexuality, gender identity, and controversial political or social issues. By encouraging communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators, PRE seeks to ensure that schools remain accountable to the families they serve. Its commitment to parental involvement reflects the conviction that children benefit when families are respected as essential partners in their education.
Equipping Citizens
A particularly valuable aspect of Parents’ Rights in Education is its emphasis on equipping ordinary citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to influence educational policy. Through its Parent Activist Training Center (see picture), the organization provides free training courses that teach parents how to testify effectively before school boards and how to run successful school board election campaigns. These practical resources help transform concerned parents into informed advocates capable of participating directly in decisions affecting their communities. Please click the image for more information:
PRE also offers organizational assistance, educational materials, and support for local affiliates working to address school district policies. In a survey of 1,000 members reported by the organization, 72.2 percent indicated that they had attended a school board meeting, 45.1 percent had given public testimony, and 32.4 percent had run for public office. These self-reported results illustrate the organization’s emphasis on civic engagement and its efforts to encourage parents to take active leadership roles in public education.
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The Network
In Washington State, Parents’ Rights in Education has developed a network of local affiliates committed to advancing parental involvement and educational accountability. Its listed affiliates include communities and school districts in Olympia, Issaquah, Edmonds, White Salmon, Moses Lake, Spokane, and Lynden. These local groups benefit from the training, resources, and national visibility provided by the larger organization while concentrating on educational concerns within their own communities. Taking back school boards is a particular strength and focus, and their motto is “We can help you win that school board election.”
PRE’s Washington website also has highlighted the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which addressed parental access to instructional materials, student records, and information concerning children’s education and well-being. Other initiatives continue to defend such basic rights of parents. Through these local initiatives and strategic partnerships, PRE provides Washington families with opportunities to organize, advocate for their convictions, and participate in shaping educational policies.
The Responsibility and the Rights of Parents
Parents’ Rights in Education represents a determined grassroots effort to strengthen families, protect children, and encourage greater accountability within America’s public education system. Its work is grounded in the belief that parents have both the responsibility and the right to direct their children’s upbringing and remain closely involved in decisions that influence their moral, intellectual, and personal development.
By promoting academic excellence, educational transparency, community participation, and respect for parental authority, PRE offers families practical ways to make their voices heard. Its growing network of advocates and its commitment to free training demonstrate the potential of organized citizens to influence public education through lawful and constructive civic participation. For Washington parents who believe that strong families and strong schools are essential to a flourishing society, Parents’ Rights in Education provides a meaningful avenue for defending parental rights and helping ensure that the next generation receives an education consistent with their families’ values and aspirations.
You can support and follow Parents’ Rights in Education on their website as well as on their social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.