Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) strongly reaffirms its mission to uphold civil rights in education following U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi’s recent memo asserting that, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, parents’ First Amendment rights – and their “fundamental right to direct the moral and religious education of their children” – will be protected from unlawful attacks.”
The PHRC recognizes the importance of parental involvement in education and freedom of religion. Yet, the Commission also cautions against framing parental rights and student rights as being in conflict. Misinterpretations of these protections could be weaponized to justify discrimination, restrict access to inclusive curricula, or intimidate educators from creating learning environments that serve all students.
Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, PHRC Executive Director, stated, “Parents play a vital role in shaping the education of their children, but constitutional rights cannot be selectively applied in ways that harm others. When parental rights are elevated without equal recognition of students’ rights to safety, dignity, and equal opportunity, we risk turning schools into battlegrounds instead of safe havens for learning. The PHRC stands ready to respond to credible civil rights violations, but we also reject any misuse of this principle as a cover for discrimination in Pennsylvania schools.”
The PHRC has received growing concerns that some of the rhetoric surrounding “parental rights” has been used to pressure schools and intimidate families.
Desireé Chang, PHRC Director of Education and Outreach, added, “True protection of rights means recognizing that parents, students, and educators are all entitled to constitutional and civil rights. The danger lies in weaponizing parental authority in ways that silence or erase marginalized voices. In Pennsylvania, our charge is clear: no parent should face unlawful retaliation for advocating for their child, and no student should be denied full protection of the law because of someone else’s ideology. Our work is about ensuring justice for both.”
The PHRC calls for a balanced approach that honors parental authority while safeguarding the civil rights of students and educators. The Commission will continue to monitor developments, enforce the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and provide training and outreach to protect the Commonwealth’s educational system from discrimination and division.
For more information about PHRC’s education and outreach initiatives—or to report discrimination—visit www.pa.gov/agencies/PHRC. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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