Allowing school employees to determine a child’s mental health without meaningful parental involvement is a dangerous shift in authority. Teachers and staff—no matter how well‑intentioned—are not medical professionals, nor do they know a child’s full history, family values, or developmental background. When schools begin labeling children, interpreting behaviors, or making psychological judgments, they risk misdiagnosis, unnecessary interventions, and long‑term consequences that can follow a child for years. Even worse, these decisions can be influenced by ideology, bias, or institutional pressure rather than genuine clinical expertise.
Parents should be deeply concerned when schools attempt to insert themselves into roles traditionally reserved for families and licensed clinicians. Mental‑health assessments can shape how a child is treated, disciplined, or tracked academically. If parents are kept out of the loop—or if schools act first and inform later—families lose the ability to advocate for their child, seek second opinions, or ensure that any concerns are addressed in a way that aligns with their values. This erosion of parental authority is not just a procedural issue; it is a fundamental question of who knows and protects the child best.
Parents can push back by demanding transparency, insisting on written consent for any mental‑health screening, and asking direct questions about what tools or criteria the school is using. They can request copies of all notes, assessments, and observations, and they can make it clear—both in writing and at school board meetings—that mental‑health decisions belong with families and licensed professionals, not school bureaucracies. Building networks with other parents, staying informed about district policies, and speaking up early can prevent schools from overstepping and ensure that children receive support that is appropriate, accurate, and grounded in parental oversight.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/if-parental-rights-can-be-bypassed-in-alabama-no-state-is-safe
