Over the last half century, the federal government has increasingly involved itself in public education. Constitutionally speaking, education is a matter reserved for state governments. So how have federal bureaucrats clawed their way into an area of policy entirely outside of their legitimate purview?

Their tactic is brilliantly uncomplicated: Just send federal education funds to public schools, always with strings attached.

Put simply, when you take the federal cheese, you have to step into the regulatory mousetrap. Local schools that take the money have to comply with federal mandates and regulations, which are often both costly and onerous.

But the Biden administration has taken it one step further—and parents need to be concerned. In recent months, the U.S. Department of Education has begun tying its social engineering goals to the federal money it gives to schools.

School Bathroom Mandate

Here is one example. Last month, the Biden administration issued a new mandate telling the public schools that receive federal funds to allow biological males to use bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms designated for girls.

Shortly thereafter, the Idaho School Boards Association sent an email to its member school districts, informing them that public and charter schools must allow students to use the facilities of their choice.

This is a line we cannot cross. We must protect the privacy and safety of our girls in public schools. The Biden administration is making us choose between federal education funds or our daughters and granddaughters. It should be a simple choice.

Critical Race Theory Education Grants

Now consider another example. Many parents were outraged earlier this year when the Biden administration announced that it would prioritize federal education grants for history and civics instruction utilizing critical race theory (CRT).

CRT has generated a firestorm of opposition in recent years because it teaches that nearly every aspect of American government and society was constructed in such a way as to propagate ‘whiteness’ and establish white supremacy. Advocates of critical race theory contend that reform will take place only when blacks and other minorities are given preferential treatment over whites.

After much public outcry, the U.S. Department of Education backed away from encouraging schools that receive these grants to use CRT-based curriculum.

While this is a good development for the short term, Idahoans need to realize that implementing CRT is a top priority of the Biden administration. They have already tipped their hand. In reality, it is all too likely that access to federal education funding in the future will be tied to this kind of radical instruction.

Time to Make a Choice

Idaho schools normally receive less than 10 percent of their funding through federal sources.  It is long past time for Idaho to reclaim its sovereignty in public education by refusing these federal dollars and the accompanying mandates.

To help defend the rights of our girls and to keep CRT from getting a stronger foothold in our public schools, Idaho needs to proactively wean itself off federal education funding streams. That is the only way we will get out from under these unconscionable mandates. No amount of federal money is worth more than the minds, safety, and privacy of our children.

Don’t forget to sign our petition asking Idaho lawmakers to stand up to the federal government and protect the privacy and safety of our girls in school bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers!