Public schools are blocking parents from accessing critical information about their children’s education by charging astronomical fees for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. These tactics have sparked outrage among parents seeking transparency in school policies and lesson plans.
The surge in FOIA requests followed reports of controversial lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, including instances where children were vaccinated without parental consent. Parents also became alarmed by what they viewed as “woke” indoctrination through Critical Race Theory, DEI lessons, and gender ideology.
In Michigan, one parent was told it would cost over $33 million to review district emails, with an upfront deposit of more than $16 million required. Such cases demonstrate the extreme measures districts are taking to avoid disclosing information.
Teachers unions are frequently cited as the driving force behind these obstructions. Critics argue the unions, with support from federal education authorities, are shielding schools from accountability. Legal guidelines state that FOIA fees must reflect actual retrieval costs, but schools appear to be exploiting loopholes to dissuade parental inquiries.
Parents have voiced their frustration, arguing that taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being used and what their children are being taught. Calls for reform include advancing school choice legislation, which would allow parents to seek alternatives to the public school system.
Until changes are implemented, many parents are turning to homeschooling to ensure their children receive an education free from political and ideological agendas.
