MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee on Wednesday approved State Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed’s (R-Jasper) “Parents’ Right to Know” bill.
The bill requires public preK-12 schools to post the curricula used in each classroom on the school website at the beginning of each school year or within 30 calendar days after a new or revised curriculum is adopted.
The posting will be verified by the local superintendent of education and local board of education, according to the legislation. The House version of the legislation will be filed next week by State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper).
“Our schools do an incredible job pouring into our young students, and I am so proud of the work our educators do daily,” Reed said. “This bill provides an opportunity for educators and parents to come together and be in lockstep about what is going on in our classrooms. We want educators to continue being able to do their jobs well, and we want parents to be as invested in their children’s educations as possible. A large portion of schools across Alabama already practice this policy, and implementing similar measures uniformly statewide will help build collaboration between schools and families across our state.”
The legislation would also require each classroom teacher, upon request, to allow the parent of a child enrolled in the class to examine all instructional and supplemental materials and books available to students in the classroom. A parent may file a complaint with the local superintendent if a classroom teacher does not comply. If not resolved within 10 school days, the parent may file a complaint with the state superintendent.
Annually, for the previous school year, the number of complaints received by a local superintendent will be reported to the state superintendent who, statewide and by county, will report those numbers to the Chairs of the Senate and House Education Policy Committees. A complaint filed pursuant to the act is an educational record of the student on whose behalf the complaint was filed.
If passed and signed into law, the bill would become law on June 1. The bill has 27 co-sponsors in the Senate.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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