Michael Farris:
American homeschoolers and other concerned parents must take action today in order to protect parental rights for the next generation. But what is the appropriate response to the threats that we see before us?

I support all variety of parental rights activities, including state laws and state constitutional provisions. However, only a federal constitutional amendment fully answers all threats to parental rights, because only a federal amendment overrides all form of international law. If we want to preserve parental rights, we must secure an amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

As we approach our public and elected officials, our basic argument is this: The Supreme Court has held that parental rights are a fundamental constitutional right. However, support for this principle is eroding. It is time we take current Supreme Court doctrine and make the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children an explicit provision in the Constitution.

Again, our goal is to put parental rights on the same constitutional plane as freedom of speech and press—a declaration that it is a fundamental right. It is important that our rights be based on straightforward words in the Constitution, not a Supreme Court interpretation of the vague Due Process Clause. With an amendment, our rights will be written in clear, black-and-white text.

As homeschoolers and parents, this battle must be our priority. I’m Mike Farris.