In 2025, parents face dozens of challenges, from school policies that hide details about their children from them to technology taking over the classroom. Here are some of the biggest battles over parental rights this year, plus a look at what parents can expect next in 2026.
The American Parent Coalition (APC) is releasing new guidance for parents as they prepare to once again take on the bad policies still permeating schools as 2026 approaches. In the latest release of the organization Look outFirst reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation, a parent advocacy group outlines the biggest wins for parents in 2025 — and what they should watch in the coming year.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders protecting children, including Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 School Education, Keep men out of women's sports And Protecting children from chemical and surgical injuries. These orders went some way to protecting against radical school policies, although many administrators and state officials continued to challenge instead, federal guidelines searching for new ways continue their radical policies or simply support them openly.
Specifically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Maine after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills rejected several requests to implement the president's ban on men participating in women's sports. DCNF also has exclusively reported about several universities and school districts that faced federal complaints after secretly admitting they would not follow the guidelines. (RELATED: Trump Admin Takes Hammer to Five Schools That Allowed Boys in Girls' Bathrooms)
In response to such violations, APC launched interactive map Record these incidents to keep parents informed as implementation battles and failures to comply continue in 2026.
A mother and her children protest to demand gun control measures outside the Tennessee State Capitol building on April 3, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images)
The parents won a major victory in the Supreme Court in June. Mahmoud vs Taylor established the right to refuse children lessons whose content is indecent or conflicts with family religious beliefs.
Despite the victory, parents still face a powerful opponent: teachers unions. Although these groups claim to have the best interests of children at heart, in reality they are more likely to try to keep classroom activities away from parents. Some of these unions have sued the Trump administration to preserve leftist ideology. built-in in schools and prevent That dismantling department of education. Others have stated confidently that “all the children” in the country “belong” to them.
Armored personnel carrier in September called Several unions are channeling their energy and resources into a public boycott of the retail giant. The goal is to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs instead of focusing on teaching children.
Along with the ongoing problem teachers union activistsparents can also count on further efforts from the administration to dismantle Education Department (ED) and others challenges to the administration education agenda. (RELATED: Here's How Many Times Democrats Sued to Stop Trump's Education Program in Just One Year)
A growing concern for many parents is the widespread use of technology in the classroom, especially children's use of artificial intelligence (AI). Parents who spoke to DCNF in November reported its use to create angrier, less intelligent and less sociable children. WITH 72% of young people use AIMany are concerned that children may use technology instead of normal human interaction, harming children's socialization, exposing them to inappropriate content and, in extreme cases, driving them to suicide.
APC urges parents to continue to be wary of apps with “problematic algorithms” that promote “videos promoting self-harm, eating disorders and other inappropriate content.” Parents should also share their experiences to warn others, unite with their communities and rally them to stand together against indoctrination, and carefully review their children's curriculum, APC advises. (EXCLUSIVE: Here's how parents can protect their rights as kids return to school)
The organization also boasted of its campaign push the Trump administration to strengthen price transparency policies so parents can plan their children's health care without unexpected hidden costs and financial uncertainty.
While parents and children have seen a number of victories in education over the past 12 months, many of the challenges they faced will persist or be renewed in 2026 as teachers unions, educators and lawmakers remain determined to push through radical programs despite calls and opposition from American families. Continued efforts to protect women's space, protect parental rights, and banish disruptive technology from classrooms will be a priority for parents and those who support them and their families in the new year.
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