June 1 marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark parental rights decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters.

That historic opinion recognized “the liberty of parents and guardians to direct the upbringing and education of children under their control.” It also famously declared that “the child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”

Sadly, despite that—and even now—many federal programs continue to encroach on parental rights.

Though parents have a fundamental right to raise and educate their children, and America’s history and tradition recognize the integrity of the family and parents’ rightful role as their children’s primary decision-makers, many courts have failed to properly treat parental rights as constitutionally protected. Instead, they have eroded parents’ rights by not applying the highest level of legal protection. That has contributed to the problems that still exist with many federal programs.

For example, the Department of Defense Education Activity educates more than 69,000 American children worldwide. Staff training “advises teachers to build special relationships with students, and even to keep information from........

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