Dear John,

Public schools are under attack. The Trump administration has fired nearly 50% of the Department of Education’s staff, is attempting to force K-12 schools and universities to whitewash curriculum, and is encouraging schools to discriminate against trans girls and women. This administration is turning its back on students and their right to learn.

Tomorrow, April 21, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which will greatly impact censorship in public schools. Here’s what you need to know:

• The case: A group of parents sued Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) after the county included picture books featuring LGBTQI+ characters in its curriculum. The parents claim that MCPS has infringed on their free exercise of religious liberties by not allowing them to opt their children out of class whenever these books were being read.
• The risk of opt-out policies: The school tested an opt-out policy but found it did not work. This is consistent with research showing a lack of inclusive curriculum increases bullying. Without diverse and inclusive books, youth who are perceived as LGBTQI+ can suffer increased isolation and bias causing them to miss more school days and threatening their access to education.
• A potential domino effect: If the Supreme Court rules against MCPS in this case and holds that families have a right to pull their child out of lessons where LGBTQI+ people are mentioned, it will send an incredibly harmful message to queer and trans students that they are not accepted at school. This would erode the basic fact that all students deserve a safe learning environment where they can receive equitable and inclusive education.
• The broader impact: Political extremists want to erase LGBTQI+ people from public life entirely, and they will not stop at censoring books. We can't let this happen.
• What you can do: We are mobilizing at the Supreme Court TOMORROW at 8 a.m. to call attention to and push back against efforts to erase diverse identities from curricula and classrooms that threaten the civil liberties of students and their families. Register here to join.

The National Women's Law Center is clear that a diverse curriculum enriches students’ learning and puts them on the path to becoming thoughtful and engaged community members. We will continue to fight and work to build this better future for all students.

In solidarity,

Mercedes Hightower
she/her/hers
Senior Campaign Manager of Education Justice
National Women's Law Center