The Biden administration is disbanding its newly formed national parents council after several advocacy groups accused it of violating federal law.
The National Parents and Families Engagement Council wasformed in June as a way to "facilitate strong and effective relationships between schools and parents, families and caregivers." Representatives were handpicked by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to help the agency engage with communities at the local level.
Less than a month later, the Biden administration was hit with a lawsuit by parental rights groups claiming the council was ideologically divisive. Plaintiffs Parents Defending Education (PDE), America First Legal (AFL) and Fight for Schools and Families (FFS) noted that members of the council included those who stood by a National Schools Boards Association (NSBA) letter that likened concerned parents at school board meetings to "domestic terrorists."
The lawsuit also argued the council failed to meet other various federal requirements, including open and transparent public meetings and public oversight.
The DOE appeared to concede Monday, as it announced that while it "disagrees" with the notion that it violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), it will no longer move forward with the council.
"Parental rights and voices matter," the announcement reads. "That’s a clear and consistent message we hear from education stakeholders throughout our nation, whether they’re parents themselves, students or educators, or partners in government or the private sector."
The DOE added that it strives to hear from "as many parents as possible" and that it recognizes the concern shared by all for the future of American students, regardless of political, social and cultural backgrounds.
The three groups behind the lawsuit have quickly taken to social media to celebrate the victory.
"Parents should NEVER be used as political props to advance radical policies that harm students," PDE founder and president Nicole Neily, who calls the outcome a "huge win," reacted on Twitter.
The sentiments were echoed by FFS and AFL, with the latter calling the disbandment a "significant victory for the American people."
Despite the council being disbanded, the DOE says it will continue to connect with individual parents and families across the United States through townhalls and a variety of tools and resources.