Halfway through the school year, students at Miami Palmetto Senior High have received a new requirement: a printed and signed parent permission slip for each school club and organization they participate in including clubs, field trips, sports games and any other programs run by the school district. 

Previously, the custom for many Florida public schools was to allow parents to opt out of particular activities or certain services for their children. Non-response was taken as passive consent.

But now, as part of a larger push to increase parental rights in Florida public education by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a new step is expected for high school clubs and organizations.

The new rule adds to the Parental Rights in Education Act,  a bill enacted into Florida public schools starting Aug. 22, 2023.

The section’s stated purpose is “To protect the fundamental rights of parents by ensuring that children are not exposed to inappropriate school-sponsored events and activities. This rule will enhance the safety and welfare of students and protect parental rights.”

For MPSH, getting each club and organization to gather permission slips from all members has been quite the initiative, relying on major efforts from leadership and members.

“Some of the challenges that have come with this are that members don’t take it very seriously and understand what the form entails,” senior and Vice President of MPSH’s student council and President of ICC Catherine Green said.

Yet, many see the value and positive side of this rule in ensuring commitment on behalf of students to the roles they take on. 

“I find this new requirement to be something that, in the future, will definitely help the organization of clubs more and help make sure members are 100% involved and active within the club,” Green said.

In addition, some parents fully support the bill because it emphasizes parent involvement as a crucial aspect of well-being in schools. However, concerns have been raised on many counts. 

Some worry that this requirement would be too much of a hassle for students to have to get a signature for every club they are a part of, with some students involved in numerous school activities. Though it is too soon to tell trends at MPSH, in Florida’s Pinellas County a 46% response rate on library access forms was recorded.

Some suggest that the default approach (opt-in or opt-out) significantly influences response rates. An opt-out process allows for higher participation, as those who choose not to participate can do so without additional steps. On the other hand, asking parents to opt in for multiple activities could become unmanageable for very involved children. There are concerns that extensive focus on obtaining permissions could divert attention from actual instruction.

The debate also extends to extracurricular clubs based on identity and beliefs, such as the Gay-Straight Alliance, where permission slips are required to attend meetings and participate in sponsored events. Critics argue that this approach could negatively impact students who cannot find support at home. The requirement for parental permission may prevent some students from joining clubs that provide them with a safe space.