New Hampshire state Representative Tommy Hoyt, a Democratic lawmaker, has come under fire for his recent comments dismissing parental involvement in education. In an email exchange with a concerned parent who advocated for a parents' bill of rights in education, Hoyt responded by telling the parent to "shut up" and "let the teachers teach." The parent had contacted Hoyt, urging him to support the legislation.
New Hampshire Representative Tommy Hoyt (D) sent this email to a parent last night:
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) May 18, 2023
"Do you know why children's results tanked during covid? Their parents were incompetent teachers. Do your children a favor, let the teachers teach, and shut up. You're clearly no professional." pic.twitter.com/VV072NRHXT
Hoyt's response quickly circulated on social media after the parent shared a screenshot of the exchange. Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children, took notice of the incident and criticized Hoyt's message, stating that it revealed a belief among some socialists that they know better than parents and disregard parental rights.
Debate Over the Role of Parents in Education
In response to inquiries regarding his statements, Hoyt verified the email's legitimacy to sources like the New Hampshire Journal, while conceding that he could have exercised greater caution in his language. However, amidst the ongoing controversy, Hoyt has chosen to remain tight-lipped, stating, "I'll adhere to my own counsel and refrain from further comments."
According to Fox News Digital, an anonymous parent involved in the exchange expressed disappointment in Hoyt's response and stressed the importance of a parents' bill of rights. The parent highlighted the underlying attitude that teachers make better parents and that parents' opinions and concerns are disregarded. The incident exemplifies why parental rights need to be protected, according to the parent.
Christopher Maidment, Chairman of the Hillsborough Country Republican Party, condemned Hoyt's comments, characterizing them as a typical attack from opponents of school choice. Maidment noted that assuming all parents are inadequate and want to harm their children is a distorted perspective.
Striking a Balance Between Parents and Educators
The incident involving Hoyt's remarks has the potential to impact future elections, with some suggesting that Republicans could use it to their advantage in campaigns by positioning themselves as champions of parental rights. DeAngelis encouraged Republican candidates to incorporate the email exchange into their campaign ads, highlighting the opportunity for the GOP to solidify its image as the party that supports parents.
In a recent development according to AP News, the New Hampshire House voted on the Parents' Bill of Rights in Education, also called SB 727. A margin of 195-190 narrowly defeated the bill. New Hampshire Senate's recent legislation has sparked controversy with a vote of 14-10.
A bill containing provisions related to parents' rights to be informed about their children's gender identity changes has sparked a debate. In recent news, advocates have put forth their case for safeguarding parental rights. However, the proposed legislation has faced opposition from the ACLU of New Hampshire, who have deemed it detrimental and an apparent assault on LGBTQ+ students.
The incident involving Representative Tommy Hoyt's response highlights the ongoing debate surrounding parental involvement in education and the importance of addressing concerns and protecting parental rights.
