ACLJ Back-to-School Education Rights Survey

As students head back to classrooms this fall, the ACLJ is conducting a nationwide survey to assess parents’ and citizens’ views on school choice, parental rights, campus free speech, and fairness in school policies. The results will help guide our legal work defending the constitutional rights of families and students across the country. Thank you for taking the time to provide honest and thoughtful responses.

1. Do you have a child/grandchild currently enrolled in a K-12 school?
2. What type of school does your child/grandchild attend? (Select all that apply.)
3. Do you support state scholarship or tax-credit programs that allow parents to use public funds for the school of their choice – including religious schools?
4. Should religious schools be allowed to participate in state school-choice programs on equal footing with secular private schools?
5. How important is school choice to you when deciding where your child/grandchild is educated?
6. The ACLJ has represented multiple students nationwide – including elementary schoolers – after schools confiscated their Bibles, banned them from sharing Bible verses with classmates, or tore down Christian club posters. Were you aware this kind of thing is still happening in public schools today?
7. Do you believe public school students should have the right to read their Bible, share Bible verses with classmates, or bring religious items to school during non-instructional time (recess, lunch, before/after school)?
8. In one ACLJ case, a school confiscated a young student’s Bible and barred him from meeting with other students to discuss his faith during recess. Do you believe this kind of school action violates a student’s constitutional rights?
9. Should schools be allowed to ban religious clubs from using faith-based language (e.g., “Good News”) in their club name, when secular clubs face no such restriction?
10. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, do you believe parents should be able to opt their children out of classroom instruction that conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs?
11. Should schools be required to notify parents before teaching material on topics that may conflict with the family’s religious beliefs?
12. Should parents be able to opt their children out of any class or assembly covering topics that may conflict with the family’s religious beliefs?
13. Do you support the Equal Campus Access Act or similar legislation guaranteeing student religious and political organizations the same access to campus resources as other student groups?
14. How concerned are you about the suppression of conservative or religious viewpoints on college campuses?
15. Have you, your child, or a family member ever experienced censorship or discrimination at school because of religious or political beliefs – such as being told not to bring a Bible, pray, or discuss faith with classmates?
16. Do you believe your local school district’s policies align with your family’s values on parental and religious rights?
17. What concerns you most about the current state of education in America?
18. What reforms would most restore parental rights and confidence in your child’s/grandchild’s school?
19. What should the ACLJ do to protect parental rights and the religious liberty of students?