School surveys that collect information from students and create a perceived need for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum have caught the attention of Missouri authorities.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued subpoenas this week to seven school districts that allegedly employ student surveys—created by education companies Panorama and Project Wayfinder—to gather data about parents’ political beliefs and income levels, as well as racial identity, sexual behaviors, and mental health.
“Those same groups come in and sell that curriculum to the schools,” said Kimberly Hermann, general counsel with Southeastern Legal Foundation, a national nonprofit law firm that defends liberty.
“The contracts with these companies are public record so they’re supposed to be approved during school board meetings, but the surveys are happening without parental consent and parental notification.”…