Summary of "Them Before Us #059 | Your Children Belong to You, Not the Government | Tiffany Justice"

Release Date: October 18, 2024
Host: Katie Faust
Guest: Tiffany Justice, Co-founder of Moms for Liberty

1. Introduction

In episode #059 of the "Them Before Us Podcast," hosts Jenn and Katie Faust delve into the critical issue of children's rights within the education system. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Tiffany Justice, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty and author of the education chapter in Pro Child Politics. Katie introduces Tiffany as a dedicated mother of four and a former school board member from Indian River County, Florida, highlighting her transformation from a concerned parent to a prominent advocate for parental rights in education.

2. Tiffany Justice's Background and Motivation

Tiffany Justice shares her journey from serving on a local school board to founding Moms for Liberty. She recounts her initial frustration with systemic issues in public education, such as inadequate school facilities and significant disparities in student achievement. Tiffany explains, "[...] our parental rights do not stop at the classroom door" (01:58). This sentiment underscores her belief that parents should have paramount authority over their children's education, free from governmental overreach and bureaucratic interference.

Key Points:

• Parental Rights: Emphasis on the fundamental nature of parental rights, which she asserts are "God-given" and not bestowed by the government (03:13).
• Educational Disparities: Observation of racial disparities in reading proficiency, with only about 25% of Black third graders being on grade level compared to their white peers (03:13).
• Motivation to Act: Encouraged by community members to run for school board, leading to four years of service marked by a resistance to bureaucratic control and a focus on genuine educational reform (03:13).

3. The Lies Driving Public Education's Failures

Tiffany identifies four primary "lies" that, according to her, undermine the effectiveness of public education.

a. Children Belong to Us, Not the Government

Tiffany challenges the notion promoted by public figures like President Biden, who stated, "when the kids were in their classroom, they were like their children" (08:46). She counters this by asserting that children inherently belong to their parents, and any assertion otherwise diminishes parental authority. This perspective is foundational to her advocacy, emphasizing that parental involvement should remain central to a child's education.

b. Schools Effectively Educate Our Kids

Contrary to high graduation rates, Tiffany points out that only a third of children are reading on grade level by fourth grade, highlighting systemic failures (e.g., a lawsuit in Hartford, Connecticut, where a student was not taught to read despite receiving special education services) (11:17). She argues that the U.S. spends $840 billion annually on education without addressing the real issue: priorities, not funding.

c. Trust the Experts

Tiffany disputes the unquestioned trust placed in educational experts, arguing that having degrees or titles does not inherently make educators experts on what is best for every child. She emphasizes that parents are their children's primary educators and should be the foremost decision-makers in their education.

d. Unions Care About Kids

She criticizes teachers' unions for prioritizing their own interests over the needs of students. During her tenure on the school board, Tiffany observed that unions often negotiate for themselves rather than advocating for better educational outcomes, leading to policies that do not necessarily benefit the students (22:47).

4. Legal Advocacy and Victories

Moms for Liberty has been actively involved in legal battles to protect parental rights and combat what they perceive as overreach in educational policies.

• Free Speech Cases: Collaboration with conservative public interest law firms has led to significant victories, such as the case in the Eleventh Circuit, where school speech policies were deemed arbitrary and unfairly applied (16:05).

• Title IX Challenges: Tiffany discusses lawsuits against the Biden administration's Title IX regulations, which sought to redefine sex to include gender identity and sexual orientation. These regulations, according to Tiffany, would compel parents to endorse gender ideology, disrupt sports and facilities' fairness, and mandate what she describes as "compelled speech" (16:05).

• Supreme Court Implications: Ongoing cases, like those from Montgomery County, Maryland, regarding gender identity instruction, are poised for Supreme Court review, highlighting the national impact of these legal efforts (14:21).

5. Parental Involvement as a Solution

Tiffany asserts that the most significant factor in a child's academic and personal success is active, engaged parenting. She emphasizes that parents should be involved in every major decision concerning their children's education and upbringing.

Key Points:

• Duty and Responsibility: Parents have both the right and the duty to direct their children's upbringing, ensuring that education aligns with family values and needs (26:33).

• Collective Action: Tiffany encourages parents to participate in local governance, such as running for school board, to ensure that educational policies reflect parental priorities rather than bureaucratic agendas.

• Community and Support: Moms for Liberty provides support and resources for parents to effectively advocate for their children's rights, fostering a community of "joyful warriors" committed to positive change (21:08).

6. Addressing Current Educational Challenges

Tiffany highlights several pressing issues within the current education system:

• Indoctrination vs. Education: She differentiates between genuine education focused on literacy and numeracy versus ideological indoctrination, particularly concerning gender identity.

• Community Schools and Social Welfare: Critiques initiatives to transform public schools into community service centers, arguing that this dilutes the primary mission of education and introduces non-educational agendas into classrooms.

• Informed Consent and Medical Interventions: Raises concerns about policies that allow minors to consent to medical procedures without parental approval, viewing them as overreaches that undermine family authority (22:47).

7. Call to Action and Conclusion

In concluding the episode, Tiffany passionately urges listeners to engage with Moms for Liberty by visiting their website, organizing local chapters, and actively participating in advocacy efforts. She underscores the importance of collective action in preserving parental rights and ensuring that educational institutions prioritize children's genuine needs over adult agendas.

Notable Quotes:

• "Our parental rights do not stop at the classroom door." (01:58)
• "Parents are the number one driver of student success." (26:33)
• "We are joyful warriors. We're going to fight like hell with a smile on our faces because our children are watching us." (29:31)

8. Final Thoughts

The episode underscores the critical role of parents in shaping the education and well-being of their children. Tiffany Justice presents a compelling argument for reinvigorating parental involvement and challenging existing educational structures that may not serve the best interests of students. By highlighting both systemic issues and actionable solutions, the podcast serves as a rallying cry for parents to take active roles in their children's education and advocate for meaningful reforms at all levels of governance.

Resources and Further Information:

• Moms for Liberty: www.momsforliberty.org
• Pro Child Politics Book: Explore the chapter on education by Tiffany Justice for an in-depth analysis and additional footnotes (00:01).

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Katie Faust and Tiffany Justice, highlighting the key discussions on parental rights, educational reforms, and the role of organizations like Moms for Liberty in advocating for children's best interests.