Parents can Opt-Out of Specific Lessons 

Parental Rights are secured by the CA Education Code and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. Both entities allow parents the legal right to review curriculum and opt-out of certain lessons, activities, and surveys that probe into the personal values and beliefs of the student or the family.

  • Parental permission is required for psychological evaluations and some Social/Emotional Learning activities. EDC 49091.12 and EDC 51513

  • Parents have the right to opt-out of all (or part) of sexual health education. EDC 51937

  • Parents have the right to opt-out of the annual Healthy Kids Survey.

  • Parents can opt-out of the annual CAASPP test.

Opting- Out

There is a formal process to opting out, which must be completed each school year for each child separately. Linked below is a blanket opt-out form which can be printed and submitted to the local school.

Blanket Opt-Out Form

SEL and DEI Curriculum

Parents have a right to opt-out of social and emotional learning (SEL), and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum. However it is become increasingly more difficult to opt-out of this type of instruction because it is making its way into all aspects of the curriculum, but the Board of Education has the power to stop it. A school board that offers opt out forms and is transparent about its opting-in and opting-out policies, keeps its commitment to respecting parental rights. The district that actively seeks parental permission not only protects itself from violating the law, but also maintains its professionalism and integrity.

The best way to accomplish this level of transparency is to elect school board members who are willing to stand behind parental rights, and then ask them to allow opt- out, or better yet, opt-in consideration for specific non-academic curriculum.

Opting- In

What does it mean to Opt- in? Well, this is actually a very important action, and a best practice. When the school district and its Board of Education uses opting- in practices, they are recognizing that parents ultimately have authority over their child’s education, and they are willing to make the effort and do work to ensure parents are informed and actually want their children to participate in the program.