(Aug. 18, 2025): Southeastern Legal Foundation’s (SLF’s) Kimberly Hermann and Cece O’Leary joined the latest episode of Moms for Liberty Academy to brief parents and students on some of the key red flags to watch out for in school policies as they head back to school.

Following SLF’s federal court win on behalf of Moms for Liberty and Young America’s Foundation, where they stopped Biden’s Title IX re-write from going into effect in schools across America, as well as other federal rulings halting the Biden rule, SLF warns that the fight against woke gender ideology is not over but has turned to the state and local level. Hermann explains that parents in blue states should “watch what your state legislature is doing. Watch what your state department of education is doing,” because many are incorporating “gender identity” into the definition of sex-based discrimination and harassment. Even many schools in red states have not updated their school policies to comply with the law.

SLF also warns that woke ideology on topics like gender and race is still appearing in school curriculum and surveys. The Supreme Court recently affirmed parents’ rights to direct the religious upbringing of their children by opting their children out of transgender and other LGBTQ lesson plans. But, O’Leary explains, the case “did leave some questions open,” including questions about what kind of lesson plans parents can opt their children out of and to what extent the Court’s holding affects student surveys. Despite some lingering questions, the Supreme Court has made it clear that parents do have rights and that it is open to hearing other cases about parental rights in the future.

Finally, SLF cautions parents that many school boards may be trying to censor their speech. Although parents have a right to redress their grievances with their government, including school boards, that right is not always unlimited. Even so, school boards can never engage in viewpoint discrimination, such as letting one parent speak in favor of curriculum but not letting another parent speak in opposition to it.

For further guidance about specific issues they may encounter, SLF encourages parents to check out their resources for practical tips to navigate the return to school.

Watch the full interview at YouTube.com.