I recently spoke with a woman who had just moved to the U.S. She’d visited here for years and even attended university stateside—but she was shocked to learn how much power parents can have in the public school system… and how often we don’t use it.
She said, “I’m surprised parents are allowed to ask the schools so many questions. And even more surprised that they don’t.”
That moment reminded me: the issue isn’t that parents don’t care—it’s that they often don’t know what they’re allowed to ask.
Let’s change that.
Below are the questions and action steps every parent—whether your child is in a public or private school—should know. You can take control of your child’s education. Here’s how.
You have the right to ask for meeting notes from:
To get them, email the principal, secretary, or group leader. These records are public and must be shared upon request.
Want to know how many bullying incidents were reported this month? Last year? Last quarter? You’re allowed to ask. Some schools may hesitate—but the data should be transparent.
Want to know:
You can—and should—ask. Schools often spend thousands on logistics, and it’s OK to question where the dollars go.
You can legally request:
🛑 Privacy reminder: Due to FERPA and PPRA laws, schools cannot disclose student names or individual data—but general numbers and percentages are fair game.
If your school offers few or no parent-focused programs, ask:
Even if your school lacks a PTA, ELAC, or similar group—you can request to start or revive one. It’s legal and encouraged.
Noticed a poorly run program? Or a great one? You can give feedback to the principal or school leadership at any time. Be honest—but if you're sharing a problem, try to offer a solution too.
Parents: you don’t need a title or a background in education to speak up. You just need awareness—and confidence.
Advocating for your child means staying informed, asking questions, and building respectful partnerships with your child’s school. You are your child's most important educational ally.
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Let’s raise confident, bully-proof kids—together.
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