WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, America First Legal (AFL) sent a letter to the Coeur d’Alene School District in Idaho to stop implementation of its new Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum titled “Sources of Strength” for young children in grades K-5 without prior parental notice and consent in compliance with federal and state laws.
Like most SEL programs, “Sources of Strength” is designed to elicit information about children’s attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs or feelings, and then to affect their behavior, emotions, or attitudes. It asks children as young as five years old to:
Here is the Spirituality Mosaic children are supposed to use:
Also like nearly all other SEL programs, “Sources of Strength” is unrelated to academic instruction.
Implementation of “Sources of Strength” and other SEL curricula without both full transparency and prior written consent from each child’s parent or guardian violates the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, securing parental rights against state encroachment, and Idaho state parental rights laws. Also, “Sources of Strength” promotes itself as a healthcare program providing mental health services, including diagnosis and treatment, to limit suicide and bullying. However, Idaho law prohibits an unlicensed person from providing healthcare or engaging in the practice of medicine, and provides for criminal and civil penalties to deter violations.
AFL always stands with parents fighting to protect their children.
Statement from America First Legal Senior Advisor, Ian Prior:
“The function of public education in America is to provide a solid foundation for children in core academic subjects like math, science, reading, writing, and history; it is not to usurp the role and rights of parents on the moral upbringing of their children. The actions of the Coeur d’Alene School District demonstrate a clear failure to understand these roles as well as an abdication of its responsibility under both federal and state law. America First Legal will continue to hold these school systems accountable for its blatant disregard of parental rights,” said Ian Prior.
Read the letter here.
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