Missouri attorney general subpoenas seven school districts over invasive student surveys

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt subpoenaed seven school districts over highly controversial, possibly illegal student surveys.  

The subpoenas, issued on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation, seek information about how these schools used student surveys to obtain information related to students’ race and sexuality as well as parents’ political beliefs and income levels. In at least some cases, the surveys were distributed without parental consent. 

“As Attorney General, I’ve made it my mission to work to empower parents and increase transparency in Missouri schools,” Schmitt said in a statement. “Subjecting students to personal, invasive surveys created by third-party consultants potentially without parents’ consent is ridiculous and does nothing to further our children’s education. 

“After learning of these surveys, my Office has opened an investigation and sent subpoenas to get to the bottom of these surveys and put a stop to them.”  

Mehlville School District, Webster Groves School District, Jefferson City School District, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Park Hill School District, Springfield School District, and Neosho School District each received a subpoena.  

According to Schmitt, the surveys these districts gave to students included “personal and otherwise unnecessary questions” about their parents’ political views and income, their sexuality, and racially motivated or leading questions. The surveys were created by third-party companies like Panorama Education Inc. and Project Wayfinder Inc. 

The subpoenas inquire whether the districts’ actions violate Missouri statute 161.096, the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act, or the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. The subpoenas also demand documents and information to determine the extent of the surveys, and if parents consented to the surveys prior to distribution to students.  

In March, the AG’s office also launched a transparency portal as part of the Students First Initiative. By using the portal, citizens can see a list of “Sunshine Law” open records requests the AG’s office has sent to school districts based on parent submissions, or inquire about certain school districts’ contracts with “diversity, equity, and inclusion” consultants.  

The Students First Initiative has uncovered a number of objectionable teacher trainings and assignments, including teacher training on “witnessing whiteness,” a student reading assignment that tells students to analyze a novel with a “feminist” or “Marxist” lens, a slide from a school board seminar that visualizes the “cycle of oppression/socialization,” and more.  

“Through our Students First Initiative, we’ve received submissions from parents across Missouri, and in an effort to increase transparency in our schools, my Office has sent open records requests to a number of schools across the state,” Schmitt said. “Parents are encouraged to browse our new transparency portal and see the documents and information that districts have provided our office.  

“I encourage parents to continue to submit objectionable curriculum and policies and practices.”