Should parents have a meaningful say in what their children learn — and how they learn it? On this episode of Defending Ideas, we examine two pivotal legal battles shaping the future of parental rights in education: one challenging a state-level school choice program, and another headed to the U.S. Supreme Court that could restrict a parent’s ability to opt their child out of curriculum that conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Host Nic Dunn is joined by Bill Duncan, Sutherland’s Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow, and Christine Cooke Fairbanks, Sutherland’s Education Policy Fellow.

They help answer a critical question raised by these cases: How should the public education system accommodate the diverse values of American families? This conversation explores both constitutional principles and common-sense reasoning for prioritizing parental engagement, and why doing so is essential for a pluralistic, self-governing society.

Show notes:

• In fight between Maryland school district and parental rights, U.S. Supreme Court should protect religious freedom — Deseret News
• Utah Fits All legal fight demonstrates why we need judicial reform — Sutherland Insights
• The Mahmoud case and ongoing education policy debates — Sutherland Insights
• Religious Contributions to Education: Social Benefits of Religion, Volume 3 — Sutherland Institute

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.