A high school social worker facilitated an abortion for a student without notifying parents.
The Department of Education announced the initiation of enforcement action, under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), against Fairfax County Public Schools (Fairfax) in Virginia. PPRA requires schools to notify parents of invasive physical examinations, allowing parents to opt their children out of such procedures.
The department explained, “A Centreville High School social worker reportedly scheduled an abortion appointment for a 17-year-old student, paid the required clinic fees, and swore the girl to secrecy without informing the student’s parents. A second student was allegedly pressured by the social worker to have an abortion, with the social worker reportedly telling her she ‘had no other choice‘ and directing her to the same clinic for an abortion procedure, which the student did not ultimately undergo.“
“Children do not belong to the government—decisions touching deeply held values should be made within loving families. It is both morally unconscionable and patently illegal for school officials to keep parents in the dark about such intimate, life-altering procedures pertaining to their children,” said Education Department Acting General Counsel Candice Jackson. “The Trump Administration will not stand by idly as these abuses unfold in our schools. We will take swift and decisive action to put an end to this and restore parental authority, which stems from their ultimate responsibility for their children’s wellbeing.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary McMahon as she acts within the authority of the act to protect students’ rights.
- For Acting General Counsel Jackson as she oversees the enforcement of PPRA.
- For U.S. education officials at all levels of government to follow and uphold the law.
Sources: Department of Education, WTOP
