What control does the PPRA give to parents concerning their child's involvement in research?

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) grants parents limited control over their child’s participation in third-party survey research. Under the PPRA, schools must obtain parental consent before students are surveyed on sensitive topics that would reveal information about their personal beliefs or behaviors. This aligns with the intent of the PPRA to protect the rights of parents and students by allowing them to have a say regarding exposure to certain types of research.

This limited control ensures that parents can make informed decisions about whether they want their child to participate in research activities that may delve into personal or sensitive subjects. It does not provide parents with full control over all academic materials or research methods, nor does it indicate that they have no control at all. Instead, the amendment specifically addresses the context of survey research conducted by third parties, emphasizing the respect for privacy and the authority of parents in managing their children's participation in such studies.