11/20/2024
Subject: Addressing Concerns About TRAILS SEL Program: A Constitutional and Parental Rights Perspective
The introduction of the TRAILS Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in Pueblo School District 70, funded by a $700,000 “gift,” raises significant constitutional and parental rights concerns. As a paralegal and advocate for decentralized, transparent governance, I believe the solution lies in strengthening accountability and protecting parental authority in education. Here’s how we address these concerns effectively:
Key Issues and Proposed Solutions
1. Parental Rights and Oversight
Issue: Links to external resources like the Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline bypass parental consent and impose questionable content without transparency. Families report no true opt-out options, forcing exposure to material that conflicts with their values.
Solution:
• Mandatory Parental Review: Require that all external resources linked to any educational program are disclosed, reviewed, and approved by parents before implementation.
• True Opt-Out Options: Allow families to opt their children out of such programs without academic penalty, ensuring parents retain their constitutional role as the primary moral educators of their children.
2. Transparency in Implementation
Issue: The program was reportedly implemented for 2–3 weeks without Board of Education approval, undermining trust and due process.
Solution:
• Full Curriculum Disclosure: Mandate that all SEL materials are made available online for public review before being adopted or implemented.
• Board Accountability: Require school boards to hold public hearings on grants and program funding, ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.
3. Focus on Academics Over Ideology
Issue: SEL programs often shift the focus from core academics to mental health and values-based initiatives that may lack proven outcomes.
Solution:
• Decentralized Curriculum Development: Shift SEL programs to locally developed initiatives, guided by educators and parents, that focus on strengthening core academics alongside appropriate, community-approved mental health resources.
• Prioritize Evidence-Based Practices: Only adopt SEL programs with measurable, proven benefits, and ensure their primary goal is to enhance learning outcomes, not ideology.
4. Decentralized Control in Education
Issue: The centralization of education systems leads to uniformity and detachment from local community values, as seen with the Prussian school model’s heavy top-down structure.
Solution:
• Local Autonomy in Schools: Advocate for decentralizing educational control by empowering school boards and local educators to make decisions aligned with community needs, independent of state and federal mandates.
• Parental Committees: Form parent oversight committees to partner with school boards in vetting programs and grants, ensuring alignment with local values.
Call to Action
The TRAILS SEL program demonstrates a clear need to return to a decentralized, parent-led approach to education. By prioritizing transparency, respecting parental rights, and focusing on academic excellence, we can build a model that serves our children and communities without compromising trust or values.
I encourage parents, educators, and community leaders to:
1. Attend school board meetings and demand clarity on curriculum funding and implementation.
2. Advocate for constitutional protections of parental rights in education.
3. Collaborate with local leaders to develop SEL programs that reflect community values and academic priorities.
Education is meant to empower, not indoctrinate. Let’s ensure it remains a tool for learning, growth, and freedom.
Respectfully,
Marla Fernandez
Paralegal and Advocate for Parental Rights
📢 Share this post to spread the word and stand for parental rights in D70! Let’s work together to ensure transparency, protect parental rights, and prioritize a quality education for students in Colorado! Pueblo County School District #70