Is it illegal to ask if a child is adopted on school admission form?

Question

My two grandsons were adopted from Russia. It is no secret, in fact the parents have already started telling the 3 year old about where he came from. But we have been warned that adopted children are treated differently, especially in school. It is really non of their business whose womb a pupil came from! It is illegal to ask race or gender on job aps, but are similar questions legal on school forms?

Answer 1

The question is legal, but you can decline to answer. They ask similar questions on the census, but no one has to answer that either.

Answer 2

The question itself is not illegal. The type of school and state you live in are the determining factors as to whether you have to answer the question or not. If this is a private school they have almost a free reign to discriminate on any basis they wish conforming to federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. In other words, they can't discriminate on the bases of race, religion, gender, creed, color, or national origin. Anything else is just about fair game. If your talking about a public school, the law requires a lot more flexibility, but this question could be a state mandated one, meaning you'll eventually have to answer. If you find that your grandchildren are being discriminated against on the basis of their being adopted, you can certainly take legal action against the school.

I would also remind you that such questions usually have more important meanings than we like to credit them with. It is not uncommon for children to be adopted from foreign countries and informing the school will give them the opportunity to any special arrangements that might be needed due to the childrens prior background. Do they know English as well as other children his age? Are there any sociocultural or religious practices they learned in Russia that the school may have to make accomodations for? Additionally, many kidnapped children are entered into public schools with claims they are adopted to try and circumvent background checks on the child. By asking ahead of time they can ensure quickly that your grandchildren are indeed your grandchildren and focus their time on less trustworthy people.

My advise is answer the question. If it's no secret than chances are good that some people at the school already know and if they don't they'll probably find out as the kids attend school there. Why create possible problems over something that's not hidden?

Answer 3

I can't answer for certain as to if it is actually legal or otherwise. I absolutely would consider the question to be invasive of family privacy, without legitimate cause.
So... personally, I would confront the issue on a more direct level, with a courteus but assertive complaint to the school or school board. The whole point of adoption is for a child to feel secure and as accepted as any bio child.
Hold them accountable and get it removed. (yes, you are tough enough to do it... you are a taxpayer and pay their salary).

Answer 4

No it is not Illegal, but it would be discrimination if you were penalized for refusing to answer the question!~!

Answer 5

In my school district it is.

Answer 6

It should be.