Zachary Schurin Quoted in USA TODAY on Legal Challenges Surrounding Parental Rights in Education

USA TODAY quoted Zachary D. Schurin, chair of Pullman & Comley’s School Law practice, in the article “They battled for parental rights decades ago. How they now view a big Supreme Court ruling,” which explores decades of legal and cultural battles over parental rights in public education. The article highlights perspectives from families involved in past lawsuits and reflects on the broader implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor. In that case, the Court found that a Maryland school district violated parents’ First Amendment rights by refusing to allow them to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ+ themed materials in the school curriculum.

In the article, Zach noted that public school districts may now “think very long and hard about including curriculum that is controversial in nature.” He explained that, under the ruling, districts that seek to require such material without offering opt-outs must demonstrate a compelling interest that outweighs the burden on parents’ free exercise of religion, adding, it "would be hard to meet that standard.” Zach’s comments highlight the practical and legal challenges public schools may face when addressing sensitive instructional topics, particularly those involving religion, identity and civil rights.

To read the full article, please visit the USA TODAY website.