The Tide is Turning
From teacher union accountability to Supreme Court victories, here's why children's advocates are cautiously optimistic
After years of fighting an often dispiriting battle for children's rights, something remarkable is happening: we're winning.
The signs are everywhere, from Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court to medical research labs. The movement that began with parents demanding school reopenings is now reshaping how America thinks about children, families, and institutional accountability.
Congress Takes on Big Labor's School Problem
Last week brought news that should make every parent smile: Congressional Republicans introduced legislation to strip the National Education Association of its federal charter—the only labor union in America to hold such a privilege since 1906.
Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) didn't mince words about why the NEA no longer deserves congressional approval. The union that once promised to "elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching" has instead become a partisan political machine that brands sitting presidents as "fascists" and prioritizes woke ideology over student learning.
The numbers tell the story: 98% of NEA political donations went to Democratic candidates in 2024. Meanwhile, the union rejected a 2019 resolution to "rededicate itself to the pursuit of increased student learning in every public school in America." Let that sink in—a teachers union explicitly refused to prioritize student learning.
As our friend Corey DeAngelis has been documenting for years, the NEA's latest convention resolutions read like a progressive activist playbook rather than an education agenda. When the nation's largest teachers union spends more time attacking parents and advancing political causes than improving student outcomes, it's time for accountability.
Supreme Court Delivers a Win for Parents
Last month's 6-3 Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor sent shockwaves through education establishments that have grown comfortable ignoring parents. The Court ruled that Maryland parents have the constitutional right to opt their children out of lessons involving books that conflict with their religious beliefs.
This wasn't about banning books or silencing anyone—it was about restoring the fundamental principle that parents, not bureaucrats, have the final say in their children's education on sensitive topics. Justice Alito's majority opinion was clear: denying opt-outs "places an unconstitutional burden on the parents' rights to the free exercise of their religion."
The coalition that brought this case included parents from diverse faith backgrounds—Muslim, Jewish, and Christian families united in seeking age-appropriate education consistent with their values. Their victory reminds us that parental rights transcend political and religious divisions when our children's welfare is at stake.
The Health Renaissance We've Been Waiting For
While we've been fighting education battles, quiet revolutions in children's health have been unfolding. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, leading the NIH after years of being censored for questioning pandemic orthodoxy, and Dr. Marty Makary, as FDA Commissioner, are bringing evidence-based medicine back to federal health policy.
The promising developments are remarkable:
Gene therapy breakthroughs for spinal muscular atrophy are helping children regain muscle function and mobility
CAR T-cell therapy is using children's own immune systems to fight previously untreatable leukemias
CRISPR gene editing offers new hope for inherited conditions like sickle cell disease
Needle-free epinephrine was recently approved for children with anaphylaxis
Even more encouraging: both Bhattacharya and Makary emphasize a return to "gold-standard science" and transparent, evidence-based decision-making.
After years of "follow the science" being used to justify policies that harmed children, we finally have leaders committed to actually following the science.
What This Means for You
These victories didn't happen in a vacuum. They happened because parents like you stepped up, spoke out, and refused to accept "this is just how things are."
The lesson is simple: keep fighting.
Support legislation to hold teacher unions accountable
Engage with your local school boards on parental rights policies
Stay informed about your state's parental rights in education
Connect with other parents in your community who share these values
Document concerning incidents at your children's schools
The institutions that failed our children during the pandemic are slowly being held accountable. The experts who prioritized politics over children's welfare are being replaced by those committed to evidence-based policy.
Most importantly, the fundamental principle that parents—not bureaucrats—know what's best for their children is being restored in courtrooms and legislatures across America.
After years of feeling like we were shouting into the void, the void is finally listening. And responding.
The tide is turning. Our children's future is getting brighter.
What wins for children and families are you seeing in your community? Share your stories in the comments—we love hearing from parents making a difference.
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